Mayte Garcia: Prince’s Ex-Wife, Dancer, and Author of ‘The Most Beautiful’

Mayte Garcia is a dancer, actress, choreographer, and author who’s lived one of the most extraordinary lives in modern entertainment. She’s best known for her marriage to the legendary musician Prince, but her story stretches far beyond that relationship. From performing on world stages as a teenager to writing a bestselling memoir about love and loss, Mayte has carved out an identity that’s entirely her own.

Early Life and Growing Up on Military Bases

Mayte Jannell Garcia was born on November 12, 1973. Her father served in the U.S. Army, which meant her childhood was spent moving between military bases across the country and overseas. That nomadic lifestyle gave her an early appreciation for different cultures, but it also meant she never had the kind of rooted upbringing most kids experience.

She started dancing at a remarkably young age, picking up belly dancing as a small child. By the time she was a teenager, her talent was undeniable. She appeared on a German television show as a young belly dancer, and that performance would change everything. A tape of it eventually landed in the hands of one of the biggest musicians on the planet.

Career as a Dancer and Performer

Before anyone knew her as Prince’s wife, Mayte was already building a serious career in dance. Her belly dancing skills were extraordinary, and she blended traditional Middle Eastern technique with contemporary movement in a way that felt fresh and captivating.

She joined Prince’s band, the New Power Generation, as a dancer and backup performer in the early 1990s. From there, she expanded into acting, landing guest roles on television shows like Nip/Tuck, The Closer, and Psych. She also appeared in the film Firehouse Dog and later showed up on reality TV through Hollywood Exes, a series following the lives of women who’d been married to major celebrities.

Throughout it all, Mayte never stopped teaching and choreographing. She’s led belly dancing workshops around the world, using dance as a form of empowerment and cultural expression. Her movement style draws on Spanish, Arabic, and contemporary influences, reflecting the multicultural upbringing that shaped her.

Relationship with Prince

The love story between Mayte Garcia and Prince is one of the most famous romances in music history. They met in 1990 when Mayte was just 16 years old. Prince saw a video of her dancing and was immediately captivated. He invited her to one of his concerts in Germany, and a connection sparked that would define both of their lives.

Their relationship grew over the next several years. Prince mentored her artistically, and their bond deepened into something romantic. On Valentine’s Day 1996, they married in Minneapolis. By all accounts, it was a deeply passionate and intense partnership. They didn’t just share a personal life; they were creative collaborators who pushed each other artistically.

Together, they co-founded the LIVE4MUSIC charity, channeling their shared passion for the arts into philanthropic work. For a time, they seemed like an unshakeable pair. But the tragedies that followed would test them beyond what most people can imagine.

The Loss of Amiir

In October 1996, Mayte and Prince welcomed their son, Amiir Nelson. He was born with Pfeiffer syndrome type 2, a rare and severe condition. Amiir lived for only six days before passing away.

The loss was devastating. It’s the kind of grief that reshapes a person entirely, and it hit both Mayte and Prince incredibly hard. In interviews and in her memoir, Mayte has spoken about this period with heartbreaking honesty, describing the profound pain of losing a child while the whole world was watching. The couple tried to shield their grief from the public eye, but the weight of it was immense.

This tragedy became a turning point in their marriage. The grief pulled them in different directions, and the relationship that had once been so vibrant began to fracture under the strain.

Life After Prince

Mayte and Prince divorced in 2000. Walking away from that marriage meant Mayte had to rebuild her entire identity. She’d been defined publicly as Prince’s wife for years, and untangling herself from that narrative wasn’t easy.

But she did it. She continued working as a dancer and actress, taking on new roles and new challenges. She kept teaching, kept performing, and kept pushing forward. When Prince died unexpectedly in April 2016, the loss hit her all over again. Despite their divorce, they’d remained connected, and his death brought a fresh wave of grief that she’s been open about navigating.

Memoir and Legacy

In 2017, Mayte published The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince, a memoir that gave readers an intimate look at her life with the iconic musician. The book covers their courtship, their marriage, the loss of Amiir, their divorce, and everything that came after.

It’s a raw and deeply personal account. Mayte didn’t hold back, and the book was praised for its honesty and emotional depth. She wrote about Prince not as a tabloid subject but as the man she loved, capturing his humor, his brilliance, and his complexity in ways that felt genuine.

The memoir attracted enough attention that the rights were sold for a biopic adaptation. Mayte’s story resonated with readers who saw in her a woman who’d survived extraordinary circumstances and come out the other side with grace and resilience.

Personal Life Today

These days, Mayte’s life looks quite different from the whirlwind of her years with Prince. She’s a devoted mother to her adopted daughter Gia, who’s around nine years old. Becoming a mother again, after everything she’d been through, was something Mayte had wanted for a long time, and she’s spoken warmly about how Gia transformed her life.

As of 2024, Mayte has been in a relationship with Niels Lan Doky, a Danish jazz pianist. She remains active on social media, where she advocates for animal rescue and shares glimpses of her everyday life. She’s also continued her philanthropic work, carrying forward the spirit of the charitable efforts she once shared with Prince.

Net Worth

Mayte Garcia’s net worth is estimated to be in the range of $800,000 to $1 million. Her income has come from a combination of her dancing career, acting roles, television appearances, book sales, and choreography work. While she’s not among the wealthiest celebrities, she’s built a sustainable career across multiple disciplines over three decades.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Mayte Garcia meet Prince?

They met in 1990 when Mayte was 16. Prince saw a video of her belly dancing on a German TV show and invited her to a concert. Their connection grew from there, and they married on Valentine’s Day in 1996.

What happened to Mayte and Prince’s son?

Their son Amiir Nelson was born in October 1996 with Pfeiffer syndrome type 2, a rare condition. He passed away at just six days old. The loss deeply affected both parents.

What is Mayte Garcia’s memoir about?

The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince, published in 2017, chronicles her life with Prince from their first meeting through their marriage, the loss of their son, their divorce, and her journey afterward.

Does Mayte Garcia have children?

Yes, Mayte has an adopted daughter named Gia, who is around nine years old.

What does Mayte Garcia do now?

She continues to work as a dancer, choreographer, and actress. She’s also a mother to her daughter Gia, an advocate for animal rescue, and is in a relationship with jazz pianist Niels Lan Doky.

Related Celebrities

• Amiir Nelson — Son of Mayte Garcia and Prince