Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Prince's ex-wife Mayte Garcia says he is ‘with our son now'

Prince's former backing dancer released a statement overnight 

Heather Saul
Friday 22 April 2016 09:33 EDT
Comments
Mayte Garcia and Prince
Mayte Garcia and Prince (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Prince’s ex-wife Mayte Garcia has reacted with devastation after the singer was found dead in his Minnesota home.

Garcia met Prince in 1990 when she was a teenager and became one of his backing dancers. Garcia is widely believed to be the muse behind his song ‘The Most Beautiful Girl in the World’.

Garcia and Prince married in 1996 and had a child together, Boy Gregory, who tragically died a week after he was born from the rare genetic disorder Pfeiffer syndrome, according to People. They divorced in 2000.

In a statement released on social media Garcia said: “He is with our son now”.

“This man was my everything, we had a family,” she wrote on Instagram. “I am beyond deeply saddened and devastated.

“I loved him then, I love him now and will love him eternally. He's with our son now.”

Tributes and impromptu street parties sprang up across the US last night as the world said goodbye to Prince, who was found slumped in a lift in his Minnesota home. He was 57.

Emotional tributes from musicians poured in as soon as his death was announced, with Chaka Khan declaring her love for her ‘brother’. President Barack Obama said the world has “lost a creative icon” and Elton John praised him as he “greatest performer I have ever seen”.

The club where Prince filmed "Purple Rain" threw an all-night dance party to honour the singer and fans sang "Purple Rain" collectively in the street. The director Spike Lee held an impromptu street party from the front of his Brooklyn home with speakers blaring Prince hits as those gathered danced.

Carver County Sheriff said deputies responded to a medical call at Prince's home at about 9.45am on Thursday morning. They performed CPR but were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

His cause of death is still unexplained. A post-mortem is due to take place later today.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in