Prince's Ex-Wife Manuela Testolini Opens Up About Their "Magical Journey"

She also reveals she's building a school in his memory

Friends and fans are hurting over the loss of Prince, but his family is "heartbroken."

His second ex-wife, Manuela Testolini, is opening up about their relationship. Despite the fact that their marriage didn't last, Prince and Manuela remained very close friends who always kept in touch.

"Prince and I had a magical journey together and I loved him immensely. The world knew him as a musical genius - I knew him as a husband, friend and fierce philanthropist," Testolini, founder of In a Perfect World Foundation, tells E! News in a statement. "Philanthropy brought us together and it was Prince who encouraged me to start my own charity over 10 years ago."

Testolini and Prince were married from 2001-2006. He divorced backup dancer Mayte Garcia in 2000 after four years of marriage. Testolini says she reached out to the 57-year-old legendary musician because she wanted to tell him about her new project.

"I just reached out to him a few days ago to let him know that I was building a school in his honor," she continues. "My heart aches that the school will now be built in his memory." 

Fans across the country have been paying tribute to the late singer with dance parties, memorials and more, but nothing will fill the void he left behind with his untimely death.

"His passing leaves me with such a devastating feeling of pain and loss. The love we shared, the music he made and our life together is forever engraved in my heart," she says. "I will always love and respect him. I am heartbroken beyond words."

Prince was found dead in his Minnesota home, Paisley Park, Thursday. The Medical Examiners Office performed an autopsy Friday morning, but the results won't be made available for a "several weeks."

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Prince's friends and family.