The death of Pop legend Prince, 57, has brought an outpouring of tributes and appreciation for the artist, considered a musical genius. Many media outlets are now digging deeper to discover the stories of tragedy and spirituality that shaped the iconic performer's career.
An extremely private individual, the "Purple Rain" singer established strange habits early on, according to E! News. It is reported that he would refuse to allow journalists to bring audio recorders, phones or cameras to document interviews.
Having released more than 30 studio albums, Prince toured constantly during his 40-year career. Although of a small build, critiques claimed that his aura and character preceded his small frame.
A flamboyant artist, the "Red Corvette" singer is being hailed as a fashion trailblazer. Prince's groomed features made him appealing to both female and male fans.
Furthermore, it is reported the artist possessed prolific abilities musically, including the ability to play more than 20 instruments. Never known for giving public interviews, the "Let's Get Crazy" singer admitted to struggling with epilepsy as a child.
In 1996, Prince married dancer Mayte Garcia in his hometown of Minneapolis at the United Methodist Church on Valentine's Day. Doves were released during the exchanging of vows in a flamboyant ceremony.
The couple had one child, a boy named Boy Gregory. However, the child was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The condition causes the bones in the skull to come together prematurely, the publication reported. The child survived only for a week.
The death of his son together with a miscarriage a few month later took its toll on Prince's marriage which ended in 2000, the publication reported. Details are emerging only now of his son's death, his charitable work, and his spiritual beliefs.
Al Nuness, Prince's former high school basketball coach, remembers the star as being very shy and quiet. He said the late singer was such a shy child that it was unbelievable to see him perform.
"He was very quiet. Very low-key," Nuness told the Minneapolis Star Tribune in 2007. Art Erickson, another high school teacher, also told the publication that in a black, white and bi-racial school, Prince was often seen associating with bi-racial youth and the budding musician confided about his troubled home life at the time.
Current media reports allege that Prince overdosed on a drug called Percocet and that he was taking the drug for a chronic hip problem which he suffered with for years. The singer had reportedly refused to undergo an operation owing to his strict Jehovah's Witness beliefs.
Watch a clip of the singer performing at the Super Bowl: