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Prince’s Ex-Wife Manuela Testolini Is Building a School in His Honor

Bittersweet. Prince’s second ex-wife, Manuela Testolini, set plans in motion to build a school in honor of the iconic musician before his death. In fact, she reached out to Prince days ago to reveal the news.

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“My heart aches that the school will now be built in his memory,” Testolini told Entertainment Tonight on Thursday, April 21. “[It’s a] devastating feeling of pain and loss.”

Testolini hopes to start a campaign for the school soon. She also hasn’t decided on the location, adding that she wishes that Prince could have chosen for her.

Manuela Testolini and Prince during Clive Davis' 2005 Pre-Grammy Awards Party.
Manuela Testolini and Prince during Clive Davis’ 2005 Pre-Grammy Awards Party. George Pimentel/WireImage for J Records

Related: PHOTOS: Prince’s Life in Pictures

Prince, who died at the age of 57 on Thursday, was married to Testolini from 2001 to 2006. (He divorced backup dancer Mayte Garcia in 2000 after four years of marriage.)

Testolini, now married to R&B singer Eric Benet, also opened up about her past romance with the “Purple Rain” singer. “Prince and I had a magical journey together, and I loved him immensely. I knew him as a husband, friend and fierce philanthropist. Philanthropy brought us together, and it was Prince that encouraged me to start my own charity over 10 years ago,” she told ET.

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“The love we shared, the music he made, and our life together is forever engraved in my heart,” she continued. “I will always love and respect him. I am heartbroken beyond words.”

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