Prince's first wife, Mayte Garcia, recalled the moment he told her to start using birth control at 19 before they became intimate. The exchange marked a turning point in a relationship that had begun years earlier, when she was still a teenager.
In a 2017 interview with The Irish Times, Garcia described the conversation as brief and unexpected. Prince told her, 'I think it's time,' prompting her to ask what he meant. He replied, 'Time to get you on birth control.'
The Conversation That Marked a Turning Point
For Garcia, the exchange signalled that her relationship with Prince was about to enter a new stage. She recalled understanding what he meant, even though the directness of his request caught her off guard.
Garcia said she felt ready for the next step and had developed deep feelings for the musician. She described their connection as something that had grown over time rather than an immediate romance.
She also recalled documenting the experience in her diary. On 9 February 1993, she wrote the words 'Not a virgin', marking the beginning of their physical relationship.
The conversation offers a glimpse into how Prince approached their relationship behind closed doors. Rather than making a romantic declaration, he raised contraception directly, making it clear that intimacy was something they were preparing for.
How Their Relationship Reached That Point
Garcia first met Prince in 1989, when she was 16. He noticed her outside a concert venue and reportedly called her his future wife. They remained in contact through letters, phone calls and music recordings. Prince also encouraged Garcia's interest in music and eventually invited her to Paisley Park, his creative complex in Minnesota, when she was 17.
As their connection developed, Garcia became increasingly involved in his professional world. At 18, she moved closer to Prince, received an apartment and joined his touring performers.
Prince was approximately 15 years older than Garcia. Their relationship developed while she was still a teenager, with Prince playing a significant role in both her personal and professional life.
By the time he raised the subject of birth control, they had already spent several years building their connection. Garcia later described herself as deeply in love with him and said she trusted him.
Marriage and the Losses That Followed
Prince proposed to Garcia in 1995, and they married on 14 February 1996, at Paisley Park. Their marriage soon brought another major change when they welcomed their son, Amiir, in October that year. However, their happiness was short-lived. Their baby was born with a rare genetic condition and died six weeks after birth. The loss had a devastating effect on the couple.
Garcia later experienced another pregnancy loss. She said the tragedies placed considerable strain on their marriage, while Prince's growing involvement with the Jehovah's Witness faith also contributed to their separation. Their marriage eventually ended, with their divorce finalised in 2000.
Despite the painful experiences, Garcia continued to speak affectionately about Prince and their time together. She described their connection as unique and acknowledged how deeply the relationship had shaped her life.
Her recollection of the birth control conversation remains one of the more revealing details of their early relationship. It captures a specific moment when their connection changed, offering a personal account of the circumstances surrounding their first sexual encounter.
