Main content

The dancing prodigy who became Prince’s greatest muse

Mayte Garcia was a teenage dancer when she first met the musician Prince. She became his muse and later his wife, but their relationship would be tested by heartbreaking tragedy.

In 1990, Mayte Garcia was an aspiring dancer. Her mother sent a video of her belly dancing to the musician Prince in the hope he might hire her. Not only would Prince – who was then one of the most famous performers in the world – eventually hire her as his primary stage dancer, but Mayte would end up becoming his muse, inspiring hit songs and albums. The relationship was not without controversy. Mayte was a teenager when they first met while Prince was in his early 30s. They married when she was 22 and their happiness would be tested by heartbreaking tragedy.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this episode, you can get help and support at Befrienders Worldwide or through ´óÏó´«Ã½ Action Line.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Maryam Maruf

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

(Photo: Mayte Garcia on stage with Prince in 1995. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Tue 26 Apr 2022 02:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 25 Apr 2022 11:06GMT
  • Mon 25 Apr 2022 17:06GMT
  • Mon 25 Apr 2022 21:06GMT
  • Tue 26 Apr 2022 02:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected