Meet Manuela Testolini – Late Prince’s Ex-wife

Manuela Testolini is the ex-wife of Prince, the late American singer-songwriter and record producer who died in April 2016. Born on 19th September 1976, Testolini is a 47-year-old Canadian philanthropist, charity worker, businesswoman, and lawyer. 

Manuela Testolini’s ex-husband, Prince Rogers Nelson, commonly known as Prince, died on 21st April 2016 at the age of 57. Before his death, he had consistently been in the spotlight for his successful music career. Meanwhile, Manuela Testolini is not just known as the ex-wife of the celebrated musician but also for building a selfless career path for herself as a philanthropist.

Summary of Manuela Testolini’s Bio

  • Full name: Manuela Testolini
  • Gender: Female
  • Date of birth: 19th September 1976
  • Manuela Testolini’s Age: 47 years old
  • Ethnicity: Mixed
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Zodiac Sign: Virgo
  • Sexual Orientation: Straight
  • Religion: Christianity
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Manuela Testolini’s Ex-husband: Prince
  • Manuela Testolini’s Husband: Eric Benet
  • Manuela Testolini’s Children: 2 ()
  • Manuela Testolini’s Height in Inches: 5 feet 5 inches
  • Manuela Testolini’s Height in Centimetres: 165 cm
  • Manuela Testolini’s Weight: 62 kg (137 pounds)
  • Manuela Testolini’s Net worth: $6 million
  • Famous for: Being Prince’s ex-wife
  • Manuela Testolini’s Instagram: manuelatestolini

Manuela Testolini is a Toronto Native

She was born Manuela Testolini on the 19th of September 1976 in Toronto, Canada, and is now 47 years old. Manuela is a Canadian-American national with mixed ethnic background. Her mother is Egyptian, while her father is Italian. She spent most of her childhood days in Canada and frequently visited Egypt during the summer holidays. She is a member of the Jehovah’s Witness Faith.

Manuela is close to her parents and frequently shares photos of her father on her Instagram. Further information about her early life and family background is not public knowledge, including whether she has any siblings. She attended a local high school in her neighborhood, after which she enrolled at York University in Toronto and graduated with a degree in Law and Sociology.

Manuela Testolini Ethnicity

Manuela Testolini is of Middle-Eastern and Caucasian ethnicity, as she is half-Italian and half-Egyptian. As pointed out above, her mother is Egyptian while her father is Italian, and she got to immerse herself in these diverse cultures. She learned languages and also spent time in both Egypt and Italy. While she is a proud Canadian today, there is no doubt that Manuela is also proud of her Egyptian and Italian ancestry.

How Did Prince Meet His Second Wife?

Prince met his second wife while she was working with his charity foundation, Love4One Another, as a consultant. Soon after, they started dating and exchanged marital vows in December 2001. They had a colorful but private wedding ceremony attended by family, friends, and a few celebrities in the country. At the time of their marriage, Testolini was 25 years old while Prince was 43.

As long as their marriage lasted, Testolini and Prince were perceived to be living happily and peacefully. Her husband was the one who encouraged her to start her own non-profit organization, In a Perfect World Foundation. Sadly, things quickly turned sour in their marriage, and they decided to go their separate ways. They finalized their divorce in October 2007 after six years of marriage. Their union did not produce any children.

Manuela and ex-husband, Prince
Manuela and ex-husband, Prince, image source

What Happened to Prince and Manuela Testolini?

Prince and Manuela Testolini divorced in October 2007 after six years of marriage. Neither of them revealed the actual reason that led to the end of their marriage. However, the singer admitted that he had wanted the marriage to end. Regardless, the ex-couple remained on good terms after their divorce until Prince died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl in April 2016.

Meanwhile, Prince was Manuela’s first husband, but she was not his first wife. The singer was previously married to his first wife, Mayte Garcia, a dancer. He met and started a relationship with Manuela just after they finalized their divorce in 2000. He and Manuela were married from 31st December 2001 to 2nd October 2007.

What Does Prince’s Ex-wife Do For a Living?

After graduating from York University, Manuela wanted to practice her law career fully but became dissatisfied with the legal system. So, she took some time off and ventured into volunteering and charity work. She first started volunteering in a homeless shelter, which facilitated the growth of her passion for charity work.

Over time, she has been involved with several non-profit organizations, such as Free Arts Minnesota, the Young Women Empowerment Network, and Love4One Another. Manuela Testolini is the founder and president of In A Perfect World Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to assist and empower future generations by creating programs that support youth both within and beyond the country.

Manuela Testolini charity foundation
image source

She founded the organization in December 2005, and so far, it has made some significant successes in achieving its sole purpose and aim, which include providing adequate education to the underaged and at-risk young people worldwide. Since January 2004, Manuela has been working with the Gamillah company, where she is the chief visionary officer.

In 2020, she became the adviser and business equity council for The Virtue Project. She is also a member of the board of advisors of Kiss The Ground, a non-profit organization whose mission is to awaken people, especially the youth, to possibilities and opportunities. Moreso, Manuela Testolini is the founder of Altru, a company that produces a brand of designer-scented candles.

What is Manuela Testolini’s Net Worth?

Manuela Testolini’s net worth is estimated to be $6 million. She made part of her money from her businesses. Moreover, a chunk of her wealth came from the divorce settlements she received after the end of her marriage to the award-winning singer. She also inherited some assets and properties, including a $6 million mansion in Toronto and a Lexus car.

For its selfless services, In A Perfect World Foundation has received several prestigious awards, including the Award of Service from United Communities Against Poverty, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Fearless Leader Award, and the GuideStar Platinum Seal Award. Manuela has traveled around the world to build schools for the organization.

Testolini, her husband Eric Benet, their two daughters, and India
Testolini, her husband, Eric Benet, their two daughters, and India, image source

Where is Manuela Testolini now?

Manuela Testolini is now in her second marriage with Eric Benet. Two years after she finalized her divorce from Prince, the philanthropist found love again in the arms of Eric Benet, an American R&B and neo-soul singer-songwriter. The couple met at Los Angeles Fashion Week in 2009. They dated for two years and tied the knot on 31st July 2011 and have remained together ever since then.

Speaking on The Red Pill podcast in August 2018, Benet revealed that he dated Manuela for two good months before he learned that she was previously married to Prince. Testolini spends a good part of her time with her family and occasionally posts photos of her husband and children on her Instagram page.

Their union is blessed with two daughters. They had their first daughter, Lucia Bella Benet, on 21st December 2011, some months after their wedding. Their second daughter, Amoura Lynn Benet, arrived in July 2014. Lucia and Amoura are currently 12 and 9 years old, respectively, and are both junior Ambassadors of their mom’s charitable organization.

Manuela also has a stepdaughter (India, born in 2001) whom her husband, Benet, had with his late girlfriend Tami Marie Stauff. They all live together in their home in Milwaukee.

FAQs

Who Was Manuela Testolini’s Spouse?

Manuela Testolini’s spouse was Prince, the award-winning American singer. They were married from 2001 to 2007. Following their divorce, Manuela got married to American singer Eric Benet in 2011. They remain together to date.

Is Manuela Testolini Jehovah’s Witness?

Manuela Testolini is a Jehovah’s Witness, just like her late ex-husband Prince. It is, however, uncertain the extent to which she now practices the faith.

What is Manuela Testolini Net Worth?

Manuela Testolini’s net worth is $6 million. Aside from the payment she received from Prince during their divorce, she has gone on to record impressive strides as a businesswoman and is the CEO and founder of a company that produces designer scented candles.

What is Manuela Testolini’s Height?

Manuela Testolini is 5 feet 5 inches or 165 cm tall. She is two and a half inches taller than her famous ex-husband, whose height is 5 feet 2½ inches (1.59 m).

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