Nearly a decade after his death, the music icon’s philanthropic mission lives on through Live 4 Love Charities and a star-studded Glam Slam tribute in Los Angeles
Nearly a decade after Prince’s death, his legacy is still evolving… not just through music, but through acts of service.
On April 21, Live 4 Love Charities will host its Glam Slam Benefit at the W Hollywood, bringing together Paisley Park alumni, the Mpls All Star band and special guests including Sheila E. and Taylor Dayne. The event is designed as both a tribute and a continuation; a reflection of the artist’s lesser-known humanitarian work.
At the center of it all is Mayte Garcia, Prince’s former wife and now the driving force behind Live 4 Love Charities, a nonprofit rooted in the couple’s original philanthropic vision and created in memory of their son, Amiir, who passed away six days after his birth in 1996.
Today in 1996, singer Prince Rogers Nelson (37) wed belly dancer Mayte Garcia (22) in Minneapolis, According to García, they had a son named Amiir (born October 16, 1996), who died a week after being born due to Pfeiffer syndrome. They divorced in 1999. pic.twitter.com/pYOqOMINGL
— Howard Prince (@Howodd69) February 14, 2026
“Thirty years ago, we started a charity… we wanted to share the love,” Garcia told Los Angeles.
Back then, she said, Prince quietly funded the work himself, writing checks and directing tour proceeds toward helping others. Today, Garcia has transformed that private effort into a public-facing nonprofit, expanding its reach while preserving the original mission.
While Prince remains one of the most influential performers in modern music, Garcia says the public still doesn’t fully grasp who he was offstage.
Prince and Mayte Garcia were really special together and I always wished it would’ve gone differently. Such a beautiful couple, but a heartbreaking end. pic.twitter.com/T1nN9EHviF
— Sassington, M.C. (@MissSassbox) July 19, 2025
Scroll to continue reading
“He was really funny… nobody knows that,” she said, recalling his love of pranks and impersonations.
She also hopes more people remember his live performances (which she describes as unmatched, and we agree) and recognize how his artistry continues to reach younger audiences through platforms like TikTok and shows like Stranger Things.
But beyond the spectacle, Garcia emphasizes his generosity. “He was a very generous person… it was about helping as much as he could,” she said.
Live 4 Love Charities has expanded significantly in recent years, launching programs aimed at making the arts more accessible to families. Programs like Live4Music and Live4Dance provide mentorship and training opportunities for young artists who might otherwise lack access to music or dance education.
“Musical classes and dance classes are very expensive, and there’s a lot of children out there that can’t do it,” she said.
The organization has also launched initiatives like “Love in Action,” awarding grants to individuals doing community-based work, and continues to support causes ranging from homelessness to animal welfare. At the upcoming Glam Slam Benefit, Garcia said some of those efforts will take center stage, literally.
“We have some children flying in to play with professional musicians… these kids are good,” she said. “It’s giving them that moment of, ‘You know what? I could do this.’”
Garcia has also taken on another role: protecting Prince’s legacy from misconceptions.
She pushed back on long-circulating narratives about their early relationship (the two met when Garcia was 16), emphasizing that her connection to Prince began through her work as a professional belly dancer.
“It was an artistic heaven,” she said, describing the environment around him.
She also challenged the idea that Prince was high-maintenance or aloof, describing a far more grounded private life. “His home was very homey… not what people would expect,” she said.
For Garcia, the Glam Slam Benefit is not just about looking back. It’s about ensuring Prince’s values continue to resonate.
“He felt very strongly about education… and helping people,” she said
And while the music icon’s influence remains undeniable, Garcia believes his humanitarian legacy may ultimately prove just as enduring.
“It’s about helping people up, helping people out,” she said.