Inside Prince's Final Days: He Was "Extremely Happy"

"Purple Rain" crooner died at age 57

By Francesca Bacardi Apr 21, 2016 5:44 PMTags

Rest in peace, Prince.

The legendary singer died Thursday, E! News confirms. He was 57.

"It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57," his publicist told E! News in a statement. "There are no further details as to the cause of death at this time."

A source tells E! News that he was persistently positive over the past few months. "Prince was extremely happy and up beat about life and his music a few weeks ago. His energy was high and he was feeling healthy," the insider tells us. "He was an extremely private guy and had a few very close friends that he shared things with. He had many more (beautiful) women around him always than men."

Prince hosted a private concert at Avenue in New York City in March. He performed for about an hour in front of a very intimate crowd because he wanted it to be a "low key" affair, a source told E! News at the time. He sang until 11:30 p.m. before heading to a private party upstairs. 

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He was feeling so well that he was looking forward to getting a jump on some new work. "He had a few key projects that were in the works and was feeling great about executing them soon," the source continues. "He was working on new music as well."

He also announced in March that he would be penning a memoir titled, The Beautiful Ones, which references the third track on his blockbuster album Purple Rain. "The good people of Random House have made me an offer I can't refuse," the singer told the audience, according to the New Yorker. "You all still read books, right?" 

The memoir was supposed to "take readers on an unconventional and poetic journey through his life and creative work—from the family that shaped him and the people, places, and ideas that fired his creative imagination, to the stories behind the music that changed the world," according to a press release from the book's publisher, Spiegel & Grau. It was scheduled to be release in the Fall 2017.

His death comes as a shock to his fans, but for the past few weeks Prince has been very ill with the flu, his rep told TMZ. He canceled two shows at the beginning of April but after resting for a week he made his performance in Atlanta despite still feeling sick.

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"He started not feeling well and expressed that to a few close friends. He never spoke about what the illness was only that he is just was fighting a cold and he would get better and not to worry," our insider shared. "He never liked to complain."

On April 15, his private jet was forced to make an emergency landing in Illinois after he suffered from a medical emergency. He was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for three hours before getting back on his plane to return home. The next day the "Purple Rain" crooner appeared at a concert and assured fans he was fine.

"Wait a few days before you waste any prayers," according to the New York Daily News.

He also responded to a fan on Twitter on April 17, telling the user that he truly enjoyed performing in Atlanta, "I've barely slept since that nite. #FeelingRejuvenated #FeelingInspired #FeelingLoved."

His health took a turn for a worse earlier this week. "He was supposed to meet up with a few people for dinner a few days ago he decided to cancel because he was still not feeling well and he needed to reschedule," the insider explained.

 Always with a brave face, Prince "never wanted to show pain—ever."