Manuela Testolini: Woman who built schools to honour her ex while married to another man

Manuela Testolini is famous for being the ex-wife of the late singer and songwriter, Prince. Testolini is one of the few women who managed to have a good friendship with her former lover. Her communication with her ex-husband was so good that when he died, she had sweet words to say about him and even went ahead to open two schools in his name. 

So, who is Manuela Testolini?

Table of Content hide 1Manuela Testolini biography 2Manuela Testolinii career 3Manuela Testolini net worth 4Manuela Testolini family 5Manuela Testolini and Prince 6Manuela Testolini age 7Manuela Testolini now

Manuela Testolini biography

Born in 1976, in Toronto, Canada, Manuela Testolini hails from a multicultural background. Her mother is of Egyptian descent while her father has Italian roots. Growing up, Testolini got the opportunity to immerse herself in her Egyptian heritage as she regularly visited Egypt during the summer. 

From a young age, she displayed a passion for dance, and her talent led her to perform in front of her family members, showcasing her skills and captivating audiences.

She enrolled at York University in Toronto and successfully graduated with a degree in law and sociology.

Manuela Testolinii career

Testolini is a prominent Canadian charity worker known for her notable contributions to various philanthropic activities. While she gained recognition as the former wife of the late American singer-songwriter, Prince, and is currently married to American singer-songwriter and actor Eric Benét, her accomplishments extend far beyond her relationships.

Throughout her career, Testolini has been actively involved with numerous charitable organisations, dedicating her time and efforts to make a positive impact on society. Some of the notable charities she has collaborated with include Love4One Another, Free Arts Minnesota and the Young Women’s Empowerment Network. These associations allowed her to support causes that focused on love, arts and empowering young women.

Driven by her passion for making a difference, Testolini went on to establish her non-profit organisation, “In A Perfect World“. As the president of this foundation, she has been instrumental in providing education and support to at-risk youth in various parts of the world. Countries such as Mali, Malawi, Senegal, Haiti, Nicaragua and Nepal have all benefitted from the organisation’s efforts to create a better future for disadvantaged young individuals.

The work carried out by “In A Perfect World” has been acknowledged and celebrated across the world. The foundation has been honoured with the “Award of Service” from United Communities Against Poverty for its outstanding services, as well as the esteemed “GuideStar Platinum Seal Award” for its transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, the organisation received the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s “Fearless Leader Award” for its exceptional leadership in making a lasting difference in the lives of young people.

Both Testolini and her husband, Eric Benét, share a deep commitment to philanthropy. They have dedicated their time and resources to travel across the globe, working together to build schools for “In A Perfect World” and provide educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Their efforts exemplify their genuine dedication to improving the lives of young individuals and creating a more equitable world through education.

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Manuela Testolini net worth

Testolini’s net worth is estimated to be between $6 million to $8 million, according to media reports.

Manuela Testolini family

Hardly had the ink dried on the final divorce papers when Testolini’s romantic journey took a new turn as she embarked on a relationship with singer Eric Benet.

The couple dated for three years and in November 2010, the melodious crooner, known for his hit, Spend My Life With You, presented Testolini with a meticulously crafted antique diamond ring as he knelt on one knee and poured out his heart in a proposal.

In July 2011, Benet and Testolini exchanged vows in a joyous ceremony. Their union blossomed further with the arrival of their first child, a daughter, Lucia Bella, who entered the world in December 2012.

Overflowing with joy, the proud parents could not contain their excitement and shared the initial glimpses of their bundle of joy with the world just a month after her birth. When speaking of his cherished wife, Benet could not help but gush with adoration and admiration.

Benét said: “She is perfect in every way, and as expected, Manuela is truly proving to be the world’s best mother. She is so attentive, nurturing and loving.”

In March 2014, representatives of the couple confirmed the news of Testolini’s second pregnancy. Anticipation and excitement filled the air as the couple eagerly awaited the arrival of their newest addition. Their hopes and dreams became a reality in July 2014 when Amoura Luna, their second daughter, came forth into the world.

In addition to their two daughters together, Benet also has a daughter, India Benet, from a previous marriage.

As a devoted mother of two, Testolini lavishes her affection on her beautiful daughters, cherishing the special moments they share.

Manuela Testolini and Prince

Prince and Testolini crossed paths at a period when Testolini was providing consulting services to multiple non-profit organisations. Among the organisations she worked with was a women’s shelter in Toronto, which was on the brink of shutting down.

Testolini reached out to various philanthropic entities in her quest to save the shelter, and it was Prince’s organisation, Love 4 One Another, that promptly stepped forward as the first to respond to her appeal.

Afterwards, Testolini engaged in various short-term assignments for the artist’s organisations and by 2000, she decided to embrace a permanent position at Love 4 One Another.

Reflecting on her time working with Prince in a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone, she remarked: “I wasn’t aware at the time, but when Prince would visit different cities for a concert, he would have work going on to complement the places he visited.”

Throughout her tenure under Prince’s employ, the pair formed a deep bond fueled by their mutual passion for assisting those in need and extending a helping hand to society’s most vulnerable individuals.

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Surprisingly, within a short span of one year when they commenced their professional collaboration, they embarked on a journey of matrimony, undeterred by the noticeable 19-year age gap that separated them.

As they became a couple, they settled in Toronto. Testolini once said, “It was all very normal, really. We used to ride our bikes from home on the Bridle Path all the way to Sunnybrook Park to meet my family, barbecue and play badminton.”

Prince and Testolini enjoyed a marital union lasting five years, characterised by an unwavering commitment to maintaining privacy regarding their romantic relationship. Although they sporadically graced public events as a couple, they consciously refrained from divulging any specific information about their personal lives.

During their marriage, Testolini adopted Prince’s surname, Nelson. However, in 2006, she initiated divorce proceedings, which ended in the finalisation of their separation in 2007. It was nearly a decade later that certain undisclosed aspects of Prince’s marriage to Testolini came to light, following the unsealing of their divorce documents.

The divorce records unveiled intriguing details about their opulent lifestyle. Notably, the documents revealed an incident during their marriage in May 2005 when Prince packed Testolini’s belongings into a box and changed the locks, effectively barring her from their residence in Chanhassen.

Despite the ultimate dissolution of their relationship, Testolini continues to hold deep affection and admiration for the late Prince, whom she regards as a fervent advocate for philanthropy. 

When the talented singer died, Testolini said, “Prince and I had a magical journey together and I loved him immensely. The world knew him as a musical genius – I knew him as a husband, friend and fierce philanthropist.

“Philanthropy brought us together and it was Prince who encouraged me to start my charity over 10 years ago.

“I just reached out to him a few days ago to let him know that I was building a school in his honour. My heart aches that the school will now be built in his memory.”

Following Prince’s passing in April 2016, Testolini, through her charitable organisation, In a Perfect World, has actively contributed to the establishment of two schools in Malawi bearing his name.

Manuela Testolini age

Testolini was born on September 19, 1976. She is currently 46 years old and will be 47 years old in 2023.

Manuela Testolini now

Manuela Testolini now is focused on her home and her business. She is committed to charity and is in charge of the two schools she opened in Malawi in honour of the late singer, Prince.

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