In a heartfelt tribute to the late music icon Prince, Mayte Garcia speaks candidly about her ongoing efforts to honour his legacy as the 10th anniversary of his death approaches. Garcia, who was married to Prince from 1996 until 2000, is set to commemorate this significant milestone with a celebration through their charity, Live 4 Love Charities.
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As she reflects on her journey of grief, Garcia, 52, acknowledges the emotional toll Prince’s sudden passing had on her. “It’s been hard. I think, for a good five years, it was really harsh,” she shares, noting how the shock of his untimely death resonates even after almost a decade. The impact of loss is not unfamiliar to Garcia, who also mourns the brief life of their son, Amiir, who passed away in infancy. He would have turned 30 this year, adding a poignant layer to her remembrance of both their son and Prince.
With the upcoming anniversary, Garcia aims to shift the focus from sorrow to celebration. “Let’s celebrate him. Let’s have a day of playing music, unifying, and showing the philanthropic side that he had,” she expresses. This spirit of joy and remembrance is mirrored in a new photo collection featuring Prince’s life offstage, which includes precious moments captured alongside Garcia. The book, titled “Prince: Black, White, Color,” features work by photographer Steve Parke, who documented their lives together from 1996 to 2001.
Parke’s connection with Prince began in the late 1980s and evolved over the years as they explored photography and digital media together. The collection highlights their playfulness and creativity, showcasing warm snapshots reflecting the deep bond they shared. Garcia reminisces about a particular photo shoot in their Spanish home, illustrating how the memories transport her back to a time filled with joy and spontaneity.
To honour Prince’s legacy, Garcia is preparing for the Live 4 Love Charities’ Glam Slam Benefit, scheduled for April 21 at the W Hotel in Hollywood. The charity was founded in 1996 following the birth of Amiir, who was diagnosed with Pfeiffer syndrome type 2, a rare genetic disorder. “We started Live 4 Love 30 years ago… It was in honour of him,” she recalls, expressing her passion for the charity and its mission to make a positive impact on children’s lives.
Garcia speaks fondly of her memories with Prince and their shared passion for performance and philanthropic work. She reminisces about the excitement of their on-stage collaborations and the spontaneity that characterised their performances. “There was never a time on stage that I would roll my eyes… It was always fun, always exciting,” she recalls, emphasising Prince’s love for music and connection with his audience.
The mission of Live 4 Love Charities remains rooted in supporting children and promoting the arts, pivotal values that Prince held dear. Garcia desires to shed light on Prince’s numerous philanthropic efforts, many of which went unnoticed, while continuing to uphold the foundation’s legacy. “Prince did so many philanthropic things that nobody knows about,” she comments, reinforcing her commitment to these initiatives.
Looking ahead to April 21, Garcia is enthusiastic about the celebration planned in Los Angeles, where the city will observe its inaugural Prince Day. The evening will feature a host of artists associated with Prince, including Minneapolis All Funk Stars, who will be performing. She emphasizes that attendees can expect “amazing food and drinks” and a lively atmosphere filled with music and memories.
Garcia also highlights educational components of the event, with students participating in Live 4 Music, playing jazz interpretations of Prince’s work. “If you’re a Prince fan, you just got to come, because it’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be a great party,” she concludes, encapsulating the spirit of joy and celebration that she wishes to perpetuate in Prince’s memory.
As the anniversary approaches, Mayte Garcia remains committed to fostering a sense of community and honouring Prince’s legacy through both music and philanthropy. Her efforts underscore the enduring impact of the artist’s life and the importance of remembering the joy he brought to the world.