You’ve probably seen the headlines. For years, the name Eric Benét was almost always tethered to his high-profile, tabloid-heavy marriage to Halle Berry. It was messy. It was public. It was, honestly, a lot for anyone to carry around for two decades. But if you’re looking for the real "Eric Benet wife" story today, you have to look past the 2003 paparazzi shots and toward a much quieter, far more substantial life in Los Angeles.
Since 2011, Eric Benét has been married to Manuela Testolini.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s likely because she has a pretty legendary history of her own. She wasn't just some socialite; she was the second wife of the late, great Prince. Yeah, that Prince. But reducing Manuela to just a "celebrity ex" is doing her a massive disservice. She’s a Canadian-born businesswoman, a philanthropist who builds schools in developing countries, and the woman who helped Benét redefine what a stable, private life looks like in the spotlight.
How Eric and Manuela Actually Met (It Wasn't What You Think)
Most people assume these two met through some elite Hollywood industry mixer. Not really. They actually crossed paths at a Los Angeles Fashion Week party back in the mid-2000s.
The funny thing is, Eric had absolutely no idea who she was at first. He didn't know about the Prince connection. He didn't know she was a powerhouse in the non-profit world. According to an interview he did with Van Lathan, they were already dating for about two months before the "ex-husband" topic even came up.
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He noticed she was going through a complicated divorce and eventually just asked, "Who is this guy?" When she casually replied, "Prince," Eric thought she meant an Italian prince or something. When he realized it was the "Purple Rain" icon, he realized he had to step his game up.
Who is Manuela Testolini?
Born in Toronto, Manuela is of Italian and Egyptian descent. She isn't just "arm candy." She’s a law and sociology grad from York University who used her proximity to fame to fuel something much bigger than red carpets.
While she was married to Prince (from 2001 to 2006), she worked closely with his charity, Love 4 One Another. That experience wasn't just a hobby; it was the blueprint for her own foundation, In a Perfect World.
The Work of "In a Perfect World"
This isn't your typical "hand out a check and take a photo" charity. Manuela's foundation is seriously hands-on. They’ve built over 30 schools in places like:
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- Malawi
- Mali
- Senegal
- Haiti
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
Eric isn't just a supportive husband on the sidelines; he’s often right there with her. They’ve traveled to Haiti together to break ground on schools. It’s a partnership built on shared values rather than just shared fame.
Life at Home: The Benét-Testolini Family
They’ve been married since July 31, 2011. That’s a lifetime in Hollywood years. Honestly, the secret seems to be that they don't live their lives for the 'gram. They have two daughters together: Lucia Bella (born in late 2011) and Amoura Luna (born in 2014).
Manuela also stepped into the role of stepmother to Eric’s eldest daughter, India Benét. If you follow Eric, you know India’s story is a heavy one. Her mother, Tami Stauff, tragically passed away in a car accident when India was just a toddler, and Eric raised her as a single father for years. Seeing Manuela fold into that family dynamic seems to be the glue that kept them together when the media was still trying to bring up Eric’s past mistakes.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room: The "Sex Addict" Label
You can't talk about Eric Benét's marriage without people bringing up Halle Berry. It’s unavoidable. Recently, in 2024 and 2025, Halle has been a bit more vocal in interviews (like on the Armchair Expert podcast) about her skepticism regarding Eric's past claims of sex addiction.
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Eric, for his part, has been pretty candid about that era being a "horrible time" of pain. He eventually admitted he wasn't actually a sex addict but was using the label at the time to try and save a marriage that was already crumbling under the weight of his infidelities.
What’s interesting is how Manuela handled all this baggage. She didn't enter the relationship blindly. By the time they married, Eric had done the work. He had moved past the "scandalous R&B singer" trope and settled into a much more grounded version of himself. It’s a testament to Manuela’s character that she saw the man he was becoming, not the headlines he left behind.
Why This Relationship Works
If you’re looking for why they’ve lasted 14 years while other celeb couples fold in 14 months, it’s the lack of "celebrity" in their home. They are both people who have been through the absolute ringer of high-profile divorces. They know what it’s like to be "the spouse of" someone world-famous.
They seem to have made a pact to keep their kids and their private lives exactly that—private. While Eric still tours and Manuela still runs her foundation (and her candle company, Gamillah), their core is very "suburban dad and CEO mom."
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Support the Cause: If you want to see the real impact of Manuela’s work, check out In a Perfect World. They often have "Youth Ambassador" programs where kids (including theirs) get involved in activism.
- Look Beyond the Tabloids: It’s easy to judge Eric Benét based on 2003. But 14 years of marriage to a woman like Manuela says a lot about growth.
- Follow the Music: Eric’s recent work, like his self-titled 2016 album and his 2024/2025 singles, reflects a much more mature, soulful perspective on love—much of which is clearly inspired by his life with Manuela.
At the end of the day, Manuela Testolini isn't just "Eric Benet's wife." She is a philanthropist who has changed the lives of thousands of children globally. The fact that she did it while navigating the shadows of two of the biggest names in music history is nothing short of impressive.