The Most Beautiful

My Life with Prince

By: Mayte Garcia

Narrated by: Mayte Garcia

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

At the one-year anniversary of his death, legendary musician Prince's first wife shares a uniquely intimate, candid, and revelatory look inside the personal and professional life of one of the world's most beloved icons.

In The Most Beautiful, a title inspired by the hit song Prince wrote about their legendary love story, Mayte Garcia for the first time shares the deeply personal story of their relationship and offers a singular perspective on the music icon and their world together: From their unconventional meeting backstage at a concert (and the long-distance romance that followed), to their fairy-tale wedding (and their groundbreaking artistic partnership), to the devastating losses that ultimately dissolved their romantic relationship for good. Throughout it all, they shared a bond more intimate than any other in Prince's life.

No one else can tell this story or can provide a deeper, more nuanced portrait of Prince - both the famously private man and the pioneering, beloved artist - than Mayte, his partner during some of the most pivotal personal and professional years of his career. The Most Beautiful is a book that will be returned to for decades, as Prince's music lives on with generations to come.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Mayte Garcia (P)2017 Hachette Audio

BOTH HEART WRENCHING AND WARMING! LOVED IT!!!!!

If you could sum up The Most Beautiful in three words, what would they be?

Beautiful, Touching, Inspirational!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Most Beautiful?

Amir....he deserves to be remembered....bless his sweet little soul!

Have you listened to any of Mayte Garcia’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I would..she needs to narrate some more books...she was so natural.and she has a very pleasant voice!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Oh I hope she does get a film offer after this.she has a beautiful story all on her own!

Any additional comments?

WOW JUST WOW...As I sit here letting this story sink in, the tears are just streaming down my face..I have ugly cried, and straight up sobbed off and on during this whole wonderful story. What I love about a good memoir is it reads almost like fiction...and then you remember, Oh my this really happened! Mayte Garcia, you just made me a new fan for life!

Oh Goodness, I feel like I have so much to say...first off, if you are thinking this is a book about Prince's life, you are mistaken..although he is a huge part of this book...and as I write this, I am listening to Let's go crazy on my Prince station on Pandora...which is fairly new because Prince didn't like to share his music on open platforms...I respect that...I have owned his music in all different forms...From record...to tape..to cd...I became a fan when I was probably about 12yrs old...now being a 45yr old woman it hasn't changed...

That being said this truly is Mayte's story..and she is an amazing woman...I embrace her in my heart for telling these hard to tell truths, from her greatest accomplishments to her lowest tragic lows. I do believe Prince and her were soul mates...but life is not always perfect...and great tragedy can destroy a perfect relationship. They both did what it took for them to survive the loss of 2 babies..no one can judge them for this...You will never know the true pain of losing your child unless it has happened to you...and let me tell you this,.it is the most horrific thing you will ever experience..and you never truly recover..you just learn to go on..and it changes you forever!

Mayte has had an amazing career..that started when she was 3yrs old..by the age of 12...yes 12 she had almost 100 grand in her own personal checking account..she continued to work as a dancer doing personal gigs, and traveling with her family...and one day at a concert Prince discovered her...and a beautiful friendship started...they were pen pals, phone mates...she would go visit him and they would talk till the wee hours of the morning...laughing..everything was quite respectable...he would watch her dance tapes,,,he wrote her music, drew her pictures..it was truly an amazing courtship...she eventually became part of his show, and toured with him..and they fell deeply in love...he never even touched her until she was 20yrs old...he truly wooed her...I cant even imagine how cool that was...

They were married and started trying for a family right away..and were overjoyed with the news they were to be parents...that's when things started going a little downhill..she had a rough pregnancy and Prince being so private made it difficult at times for her to get some of the medical care and testing that she probably really needed...their little angel was born and lived for 6 days...they had to make a tough choice after doing all that was medically possible..and chose what they thought was best for Amir, I dont agree with how Prince let this be handled...Mayte deserved to be there when her baby boy left this world...I think that is something that will weigh on her forever...she did get pregnant again, but that pregnancy ended in miscarriage..this relationship just never healed.

Mayte tried..but Prince withdrew from her..and I wont go into detail here...but I do think she got a really raw deal...and this truly broke her heart...but this beautiful woman picked herself up, dusted herself off, and went on..She did eventually forgive Prince and they rekindled their friendship, for this she gets my mad love and respect...She went into acting and choreography..Dated Tommy Lee...that impresses me...they were good for each other and helped them both heal after failed marriages...and they too are still friends to this day..Mayte started a pet rescue called Mayte's Rescue,,,and while doing a long stint on the reality show Hollywood Exes, she expressed her desperate need to be a mother...and someone who was looking for a parent for her little girl saw it and it was fate...she got her Gia..oh how this made me cry..This baby was born on her birthday..how wondrous is that?And then it happened Prince died...and Mayte never got to introduce her little girl to him..she kept putting it off, busy with life...I think this will haunt Mayte for a long time also..

I really cant express how much I loved this book...and how much it has touched me very deeply, all I can say is listen to it...it is well narrated with so much raw emotion, and beautifully written..it is going in my ATF file..and I know I will listen to this again...Fave listen of 2017 so far...I just cant stop crying...but now its more happy tears than sad, because Mayte is AWESOME!!


HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! WELL WORTH YOUR TIME AND A CREDIT...WISH I COULD GIVE THIS A MILLION STARS!!!

I can see why Prince fell in love with her.

Mayte is charming, genuine and sweet. She is also an amazing storyteller.

This story is not all about Prince, and that is ok. Mayte had a life before him. She was a dancer at the age of three and had already accomplished so much prior to meeting Prince. And when they did meet, their love was obvious. You get an inside look of what it was like to be in their world.

Reading about the loss of their child was hard. But she managed to speak about it with so much grace. My heart broke for her, and for Prince.

Overall, it's such an interesting read for any fan or Prince. Or anyone who just loves a great memoir.

not the love story or insight you may be wanting

I was a young adult during the Purple Rain storm. I had a friend who (during our high school time) had discovered Prince much earlier, so we already knew who he was by the PurpleReign time. But, my interest waned during the symbol era, so although I was aware of Mayte, I wasn't particularly interested. I did weep when I heard of his death and bummed out an entire doctors office after I announced it when I'd arrived for an appointment that day. There can be no doubt he was a musical genius and for that he should be recognized.
When I heard about this book, I was interested, but didn't run out for it. I added it as one of my "free" books when I joined Audible, really expecting it to be a love story that drew back the curtains of Prince's world. I finished the book feeling like it confirmed my suspicion that Prince was a controlling SOB. I felt truly bad for Mayte through most of it and what she tries (too hard sometimes) to gloss over and normalize. I am glad she got out, glad she was able to make some money on things from her time there and glad she has moved into a better, healthier place in her life.

Paisley Park is in Your Heart -- Sincere, Thoughtful & Heartfelt

I'm a 30+ year PRINCE fan, who has no issue with his friends and family now sharing their respective stories. I know PRINCE was private in life, but that does not mean others are not allowed to share their journey. We're now seeing a different side to PRINCE -- a more human side. And it does not take away from or diminish his musical legacy. The music, because it's so good, will always endure.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's well-written and well-read (with lots of emotion.) Truth be told, I cried at several points, given Mayte's own audible emotions. Clearly, this is a work of love -- only intended to honor PRINCE. It was extremely sincere, thoughtful and heartfelt. Even though PRINCE was a man of mystery, he was still a human being. The book helped me see another side of the musical icon and I'm grateful. His music may have been perfection, but he was flawed and conflicted just like the rest of us. Thank you, Mayte, for sharing your experience. I highly recommend the book for all fans, whether casual or die-hard. Unfortunately, sometimes it snows in April. I still deeply miss PRINCE. And the book proved to be cathartic for me, as I trust it will be for others.

Uplifting

It was a beautiful genuine story. It also gave great insight and cleared many misconceptions. I love the name Amiir, it fits, so beautiful. I love the concept of Egypt and how souls come together and reunite throughout life times. Their family will be forever linked to each other. It makes you optimistic, losing something in the present can be given back to you in the future. It all came full circle. I always loved Mayte's and Prince's relationship and I always dreamed of the what if's, like what if Amiir survived? What would his personality be like? What if they had more kids? Since learning of their relationship a few years ago, I always hoped Mayte and Prince would get remarried and adopt, even though I was a toddler when they were together. Even through the ups and downs, I felt like they lifted each other and I could feel the love when they looked at one another in music videos, interviews, and performances that I would spend hours to find on the internet. It's reassuring to know how deep they loved each other. I used to watch Hollywood Exes and I used to wish for Prince to meet Gia. I always thought she would've filled that void he had for Amiir and they would reunite as a family and he would take her in as his daughter. Thank you Mayte for being open and thank you for keeping certain personal things a secret because those things were only meant for you and Prince to share. As a Prince fan, it gave me some closure to move forward. Very meaningful and heart felt. I cried with you.

Real Love Never Dies!

If you could sum up The Most Beautiful in three words, what would they be?

Therapeutic! I know this had to be very therapeutic for Mayte.

Love is Love! Sometimes we love someone more than anyone else can ever understand.
You can't put a time limit of how long someone mourns for a love lost. The person you love don't have to be dead for you to mourn the love you once shared together.

Even though Life goes on and directs you on different paths - Real Love never dies!

What did you like best about this story?

She was able to admit her weaknesses/strengths. She was very open and at the same honoring and respecting the memory of Prince.

Have you listened to any of Mayte Garcia’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Mayte Garcia did a phenomenal job narrating her story! No one could have done it better!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried several times during this audiobook.

Any additional comments?

Have your kleenex near you!

Beyond beautiful.

Between tears and laughter, this lovingly written and narrated story is so profoundly touching. Must read, but listening takes you there - to every love-filled or heartbreaking moment. One of the most incredible and honest love stories ever told.

What a loving and brave woman.

Amazing story. Honest and heart wrenching. Her words express a sincerity and capture a true love.

Exceeded all of my expectations

It was a privilege to hear this memoir from Mayte in her own words. I am so grateful she shared her story because she is such an inspiring woman. Wonderfully written, this memoir is moving and powerful. It expanded my appreciation and understanding of many things: Prince, his music, the art of dance, self expression, love, motherhood, and life in general. Anyone who has loved or who has lost will find their own experiences reflected in Mayte's. She is heartfelt and genuine and I connected immediately to her storytelling. I cried many times but felt peace, love, and hope coming through the spirit in her voice. I highly recommend the audiobook. Thank you Mayte, it has meant so much. So happy for you and Gia. <3

Thank you for sharing your story

Being a huge Prince fan I couldn't wait to read your book. Grieving his death last year was really tough and reading personal stories really helped. I gobbled this one up and I have to say I am quite shocked and surprised. I know you meant him no harm, but if you were my friend I wouldn't have wished all of this pain on you. Sure glad it wasn't me, no matter what my teenage self might have wished. The pain you had to go through was immense and what you gave up for him... I don't know, I wish you could have just done your thing and gone to Cairo. You might have been better off.

All of the love and romance I'm sure was intense and deep. You can feel that, but as high as that was, the depth of despair was as wide and deep. I wish you the best, you deserve it!
Thank you for sharing your story