The Most Beautiful: My Life with Prince

Okay this will be long, but I have a lot to say about this book.... Let’s all take a moment. Take a deep breath. 4 counts in. Hold it it. 4 counts out. You good? Okay. Mayte Garcia is probably one of the most polarizing figures in the P universe. We knew she was his first wife. Mother of his kids. They shared several tragedies. She was on a reality show. Things happened. Not a ton of info about their time together other than what was heard on the grapevine...and OH what a grapevine it has been. So informed by said grapevine, I came to this book full of side eye, salt, and envy if I can be completely honest here. Lump on the features in People magazine, I came with WHY?! Reading that absolutely tuned my stomach and I felt horrible for wanting to know such personal things. But then I realized, I was reading this in People magazine, which isn’t the most credible source for information as they tend to be sensational most of time. So I said to myself, I’ve read dozens upon dozens of Prince books and articles from former band mates, scholars, super fans, journalists, groupies, ex-girlfriends...why not read one by his first wife. Also, if I want to speak about this book with any credibility, I have to read it. And so I did. Can I tell you that I had to eat every single judgmental thought I’ve ever had about her? Can I tell you that she addresses pretty much every “why” question I had regarding her? Can I tell you about the amount of self-awareness this woman has and perhaps even had during her time with Prince? Can I tell you how surprised I was about how well written this book is? About how good of a story teller she is? About how my respect for her just as a woman skyrocketed? Can I tell you how ashamed I was for being surprised about how well written this book is? About how good of a story teller she is? About how my respect for her just as a woman only skyrocketed after having read this? Can I tell you that even at the sweetest moments with her and P, I did not have an IOTA of envy and was excited and happy that they were so in love? Can I tell you how important context is when considering what people do and why they do it? This book is about Mayte Garcia. It's about HER life and when Prince enters it, it's still about HER life. When he exits...still about HER life. I feel like I grew as a person by reading this, learning not to judge, and to look at myself and really consider the reasons why I react or get upset about things regarding P, or really just in general. I learned to address those things so I can be free to just absorb and appreciate other people’s life experience without placing my own projections onto it. Not gonna lie, this is a VERY difficult book to read, especially leading up to the anniversary, not because of what’s in it (the info about Prince and his habits isn’t new if you’ve read Dance, Music, Sex, Romance by Per Nilsen or Possessed by Alex Hahn) but because of the emotionally raw place it comes from. Everyone will stand in front of a huge mirror when it comes to this book. What you see in it will be very revealing of who you are as a person. If you’re coming to it with an anti-mayte agenda and a point to prove, you will find evidence here that will corroborate what you think about her...because that is what you will want to find...and that is all that you will see. If you’re coming with a set idea that Prince is a wonderful, loving, sexy and giving musical genius, you may be in for a disruptive experience that will humanize him in more ways you’re ready for (ESPECIALLY if you haven’t read the aforementioned books). If you come with a general curiosity about him with no context about him otherwise, you will find it to be a depiction of a flawed genius...and maybe a few other not so nice judgements without having the context of his upbringing. If you come with a critical, but open minded place of love4oneanother and really lean into this, really dig in and challenge yourself, your perceptions, your prejudices, your bias, you will find this book to be an incredibly DIFFICULT, but humbling and cathartic experience. I thoroughly enjoyed this deeply resonating and evocative journey. I came with a critical, but open minded mindset, had to reset my own feelings every few pages...then found that I didn’t have to anymore as I progressed through the book. I emerged with HUGE amounts of respect for Mayte, and yes Prince was humanized even more in a MAJOR way through her lens, even given that much of the info here isn’t new if you’ve been around. It’s interesting in that he is in this book for sure, but this book is not about him at all. You still only get a glimpse of who he was. I found I still very much loved and wanted to protect the complex and human man that was depicted here (as much as you can a stranger). He is still a wonderful, loving, sexy, giving musical genius. Even at the most difficult points when he seemed to be only one of those things (lol), he was still transparent, pure of intent, and INCREDIBLY consistent in the way he dealt with really everything. Whatever your perception of this book is, in reading it, you will be challenged deeply on the reasons why you are fam and you will have to face that truth in a VERY direct way. It will take some time to process and you should let this marinate for a minute while you do. Don’t be afraid of what might come up as you work it out. Let it wash over you and really do some self inventory...if you do this right, it can really be an amazingly healing ride. That was my experience and I hope you are able to free yourself so you can learn, grow, and heal from this journey as well.

This book was an easy read it flowed well and was hard to put down. I Am very defensive and protective of Prince but this book was about Mayte's life with Prince. She didn't give away any very personal secrets. I wonder if she had a ghostwriter, it was so well written. It was very economical with words. It didn't ramble on and on. It kept you engaged. I never got bored. This lady was talented and independent and self-sufficient. How many teenagers have $100,000.00 in their bank account? It was a beautiful love story and a tragedy. I saw someone I thought the world of, exploit women. I saw women knife each other in the back to be with him. I saw a cruelty in Prince I wish I had never seen. He did not acknowledge her pain, her need to be comforted after the loss of her son. It was all about him. He abandoned her when she needed him the most and I don't like him for that, yet I will always love him. With that said, she never bashed or trashed him and I would not have blamed her if she had. He certainly had it coming in my book. They tried to reach for each other but I felt he didn't try hard enough; after all, he was the man and the head & priest of his household. Some women lose several children before they even have one. To me, this is all in life and marriage between two people; for better or for worse; and not abandon ship at the first sign of trouble. This book is going to help a lot of young unsuspecting girls, know what to look for and how to handle themselves with older men. Mayte was too hurt to stand up for herself properly and get what she deserved which is half of his dynasty in my book. He was cheating on her which could have been proven easy enough. His innermost circle certainly knew what was going on. She should have been divorcing him. She got nothing. And, the media trashed and bashed her. He offered her the mansion in Spain because he knew she didn't have the income to keep that property or the experience in life with men to even see that she was being jerked around. He had the nerve to even ask her if she sold it knowing she didn't have the financial means to keep it. The mechanics' liens on the property for its upkeep ate up any equity she might have had. He knew all this trust me. She really needed her parents to go to bat for her. She was too inexperienced to do that on her own and too emotionally distraught. My advice to her is to still ask for money from his estate because she was entitled to it on the grounds of adultery!!! Perhaps his family will give her a cut. She still loves him, Sheila E. still loves him, I still love him we're all pathetic! Keep your head up baby and good luck with your dog rescue. I live in Las Vegas too if you ever want to meet me.

Very well written and interesting..somewhat heartbreaking especially considering Prince died alone in his home. I was a great fan and loved his work. The story made me sad but I feel that at least Prince had the love of a good woman! For anyone who says she was a gold digger, I think you should review your facts...they had no pre-nup and she could have taken him to the cleaners but all she got was a house (mansion admittedly) in Spain from the divorce. He was obviously the love of her life and I don't think he treated her well at the end. Nevertheless, love transcends throuhout the book and I can't help but feel that if Prince had foind his way back to her, he might still be alive. Be happy Mayte with your little Gia. Cherish all that is beautiful in life!

Um livro maravilhoso, a biografia completa da Mayte e a história dela antes, durante e depois a sua relação com o gênio musical Prince. Sério, passei a seguir a Mayte nas redes sociais e fiquei muito fã dela, mulher forte e guerreira, um exemplo de ser humano e mulher. Fiquei com muita vontade de conhece-la depois de ler cada sentimento que ela colocou em seu livro. Vale muito a pena.

Per il poco inglese che conosco, lo trovo discreto,intenso. Bello! Questa donna e questo uomo hanno vissute tragedie umane pesanti,ma in modi differenti. Per quanto umano e buono, lui si buttava nel lavoro e la lasciava sola.L'ha anche soggiogata e le mentiva sull'uso di medicinali. Ognuno ha i suoi punti deboli.non giudico. Lei è una bellissima creatura,e lo ama ancora tanto.L'amore va oltre,e questo è bello.

Prince a través de los ojos de su primera esposa, Mayte García. Una bella historia de amor que acerca al hombre, más allá de la leyenda.

内容がヘヴィーなところもあるので「面白い」と書くのはちょっと憚られるのだが、でも大変に興味深い一冊であった。生前のプリンスに最もプライベートで近しかった人物の証言なので当然ではあるが、この人にしかかけないことがたくさん書かれている。とはいってもたぶん書かれていないもっと面白いこともたくさんあるのだろうなと思う。「Hollywood Exes」が見たくなったし、Tubesocksの秘密の意味（？）って何だ？とかまだまだ知りたいことが多過ぎる。