India Benet Mother Tami Marie Stauff and Family Tree

India Benet mother Tami Marie Stauff was in a relationship with Eric for three years. Tami gave birth to India in 1991.

A four-time Grammy Award nominee, Eric started his musical journey at a young age. By the time he was 15, his father, an artist himself, became impressed by his talent.

For Benet, one of the first steps in his musical journey was acquiring his dad’s approval to pursue music.

His parents were from Alabama, where they endured segregation, often forced to run for their lives. Moreover, a prejudice prevented his father from becoming a doctor.

Furthermore, he believed earning a degree would somehow contribute to an easier life. Obeying his father, he did go to college but dropped out soon after.

The artist, his sister Lisa, and his cousin eventually formed a band in his name and released a self-titled album in 1992. They sold over 100 thousand copies of the album.

By then, he had welcomed his first child, India, with his longtime girlfriend Staugg. Things went beautifully until a tragic incident tore apart the family’s heart.

India Lost Her Mother At A Young Age

India Benet mother Tami Marie Stauff passed away in an accident on April 24, 1993, at age 25. At the time India was just a toddler.

In 2013, Eric Benet marked her birthday and wrote, “Happy birthday Tami M Stauff. @indiabenet angel mommy,” on Twitter.

After three years of togetherness, the pair welcomed their first child, a daughter, on December 3, 1991. During this period, the singer was trying to get a proper start to his career.

Meanwhile, Eric launched an album with his sister Lisa and their cousin. The album was a massive hit.

Benet and Shuaff had an early taste of success and happily transitioned into life as parents with their little nugget, India.

A mother of one was living most of her life with a caring boyfriend and their 16-month-old toddler until she was involved in a fatal car accident that took her life.

Following this, Eric became a single father surrounded by sorrows, pains, and responsibilities. The singer credits his loving family for supporting him in such a challenging situation.

Before Stauff’s passing, the singer admits to focusing more on becoming a star than a father. “I was a dad, but I was mainly a dad on the weekends,” he shared with People.

He further said as he was trying to make music happen, “The faith said, ‘No, this is the deal. We’re gonna take India’s mom, and you are now a father.'”

India Walked On Her Father’s Footsteps

Eric Benet daughter India followed in her dad’s footsteps and entered the music industry. She is a singer, songwriter, USC graduate, and LF Stylist.

She evidently inherited her dad’s smooth vocals and started singing at a relatively young age. Her father and angel mummy couldn’t be prouder to see her moving towards her goal.

The father and daughter duo won thousands of hearts singing together the song Summer Love on Benet’s album, Lost in Time, released on November 30, 2010, on Reprise Records.

They also collaborated on Benet’s other song, Muzik, in 2012.

“Wonderful dad and daughter collaboration,” a fan wrote while commending the duo. Another added, “I love their father/daughter collabs.”

Unlike her father, India is less active on social media. She is currently unavailable on Instagram and has minimal posts on Twitter and Facebook. Her last FB post was on February 8, 2018.

Her FB account features some of her stunning pictures with her beautiful curls. She has ringlet curls with varying curl patterns all over her head, adding charm to her looks.

Eric Benet And Tami Stauff Relationship

Benet and Stauff started their relationship in 1988, with both just stepping into their 20s. Despite starting a little early, the pair were inseparable and madly in love.

The arrival of their first child in 1991 added more bliss to the family. Things were going well for the artist until fate decided otherwise.

Eric Benet girlfriend lost her life following a car crash, and their world turned upside down.

In his 55 years of living, the singer has experienced a lot of personal and professional ups and downs. But none of his downs equals the pain he endured after the passing of his love Tami.

Her death is one of a few things touched on by the singer. They were yet to get engaged and walk down the aisle.

Speaking to People, the musician said, “It was horrible.” He marked that phase of his life as one of those moments where he was sure he wouldn’t make it. “It’s tough to describe,” he added.

His family stood by his side as he mourned her untimely passing. “I couldn’t wrap my head around the pain, mourning, and tragedy of Tami leaving at such a young age,” said Benet.

The artist said she was such a beautiful, loving, and devoted person and a mother. “It was a horrible, horrible time.”

Benet had a great time and memories with Stauff in their relationship of about five years.

Eric Is Married To Manuela Testolini

Eric Benet married Manuela Testolini, a businesswoman from Toronto, on July 31, 2011. They have two daughters together.

After losing his girlfriend, he was totally heartbroken. However, he learned an unforgettable lesson from that experience. “Unconditional love is damn near a rarity in life,” Benet told people.

In January 2001, he married his first wife, actress Halle Berry. They separated only after two years of marriage in October 2003, with the divorce finalizing in January 2005.

He then met his current wife, Manuela, a Canadian entrepreneur of Egyptian and Italian descent. She was previously married to Prince from 2001 to 2006.

Benet and Testolini have been together for more than a decade. The couple will celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary on coming July 2023.

The Toronto native is active on Instagram under the username @manuelatestolini, with over 16.5k followers. She regularly shares about her kids and husband on the platform.

Remember when she wished her partner of 11 years the happiest birthday on IG on October 16, 2022? “I love u and hope this year brings even more of what you hope for,” she wrote for Benet on his birthday.

Eric Benet Has Three Children

Spend My Life With You singer Benet is the father of three daughters. He shares his eldest daughter, India, with his late girlfriend Stauff.

He and Testolini welcomed their first child, Lucia Bella, 11, on December 21, 2011. The youngest bundle of joy, little Amoura Luna, 08, joined the family on July 13, 2014.

On Luna’s eighth birthday, her mother launched Lucia and Luna’s 6th annual Backpack Drive.

Their pint-sized activists’ birthday wish was to help 1,000 kids get backpacks filled with needed supplies. They asked people to help by fundraising or sponsoring a backpack to help students.

On February 16, 2023, the proud mother shared that their backpack drive was chosen for a Silver Anthem Award for nonprofit campaigns in the Education, Arts, and Culture categories.

She called her eldest daughter the brightest of lights, kindest of souls, and the most curious and creative girl on her 11th birthday via IG post. “I love you, sweet Lulu!” she concluded.

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