EXCLUSIVE

0421_remembering_prince_launch_2The artist known as Prince has died … TMZ has learned. He was 57.

Prince’s body was discovered at his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota early Thursday morning.

Multiple sources connected to the singer confirmed he had passed.

The singer — full name Prince Rogers Nelson — had a medical emergency on April 15th that forced his private jet to make an emergency landing in Illinois. But he appeared at a concert the next day to assure his fans he was okay. His people told TMZ he was battling the flu.

42116-sub-prince-instagramPrior to his most recent appearance however, Prince had cancelled two shows due to health concerns.

Prince became an international superstar in 1982 after his breakthrough album “1999.”

 

He went on to churn out a ton of hits — and racking up 7 Grammys in the process. He also performed at the Super Bowl in 2007 … in one of the greatest live performances of all time.

He also sold more than 100 million records during his career … and the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score for Purple Rain in 1985.

 

Prince was married two times — the first time to his backup dancer Mayte Garcia. They split in 2000. He then married Manuela Testolini … but they split in 2006.

PRINCE FATALITY AT PAISLEY PARK ESTATE

0421-prince-getty-01Someone has died at Prince‘s estate in Minnesota.

Authorities responded to a medical emergency at his Paisley Park studio on Thursday morning. The Carver County Sheriff’s department in Chanhassen, Minnesota tells TMZ there has been a fatality, and they’re notifying next of kin.

According to the Sheriff’s dept … deputies responded to Paisley Park at 9:43 AM.

0421-prince-swipe-tmz-01As TMZ first reported … Prince was briefly hospitalized in Moline, IL. His private jet made an emergency landing there after 1 AM Friday.

His people told us the 57-year-old had been battling a bad bout of flu.

 

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