Mattie Della Shaw: A Look At Prince's Mother And Her Life
Many people know about Prince, the celebrated musician, but perhaps fewer know about the woman who helped shape his world. We are talking about Mattie Della Shaw, a person whose life story offers quite a bit to consider, really. She was, in a way, a key figure in his early years, and her own experiences, too, seem to have left a lasting mark on him, as we will see.
Her life, you know, spanned several decades, from the 1930s into the early 2000s. She lived a life that touched many people, not just her famous son. Mattie Della Shaw held different roles, and she had connections that ran deep in her community, which is that kind of thing worth remembering.
This piece will explore the details of Mattie Della Shaw's life, from her birth in Minneapolis to her career and, of course, her important connection to Prince. We will, in fact, look at what made her who she was, and how her spirit, perhaps, lived on through her family, even today.
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Table of Contents
- Biography of Mattie Della Shaw
- Personal Details and Bio Data
- Early Life and Family
- Career and Lasting Influence
- Mattie Della Shaw and Prince: A Deep Connection
- Her Enduring Legacy
- Frequently Asked Questions About Mattie Della Shaw
Biography of Mattie Della Shaw
Mattie Della Shaw was born on November 11, 1933. This event happened in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specifically within Hennepin County. She was a daughter to Lucille Bonnell and Frank Shaw, as a matter of fact. It's interesting to note that she also had a twin sister, Edna Mae (Shaw) Collier, so they shared that special bond from the very beginning, you know.
Her background included European American ancestry, with her family hailing from Italy. This heritage, quite literally, added a layer to the family's background. It seems, too, that this diverse heritage played a part in shaping identity and artistic expression within the family, which is something to think about.
Mattie Della Shaw, later known as Mattie Della Shaw Baker, pursued a career as a jazz singer. She was also a social worker. She worked with the Minneapolis Public School System, and later retired from that role. People regarded her highly, and she will, basically, be missed by many who knew her.
She passed away on February 15, 2002. This happened at Fairview Southdale Hospital. Her passing followed a long illness, as I was saying. Her life, in a way, made a mark on those around her, including her son, Prince, whose life and music she influenced.
Personal Details and Bio Data
| Born | November 11, 1933 |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota |
| Died | February 15, 2002 |
| Place of Death | Fairview Southdale Hospital |
| Parents | Lucille Bonnell and Frank Shaw |
| Twin Sister | Edna Mae (Shaw) Collier |
| Spouse | John L. Nelson (also known as John Lewis/Louis Nelson) |
| Child | Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson) |
| Ancestry | European American (family from Italy) |
| Professions | Jazz Singer, Retired Social Worker (Minneapolis Public School System) |
Early Life and Family
Mattie Della Shaw entered the world in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 11, 1933. She was born into a family with Lucille Bonnell and Frank Shaw as her parents. This means she had roots in the local community from her earliest days, which is that kind of thing that shapes a person.
She was not alone in her birth, as she had a twin sister, Edna Mae (Shaw) Collier. This shared beginning suggests a close bond from the very start of their lives. Having a twin, too, often creates a special connection that lasts through the years, and it is something to consider.
Her family history included European American ancestry. Specifically, her family came from Italy. This European lineage, in a way, added another layer to the family's background. It also, arguably, contributed to the diverse heritage that would, later on, play a part in shaping her son Prince's identity and artistic expression, which is quite interesting.
The roots of a family, you know, often run deep. Mattie Della Shaw's origins in Minneapolis, with her parents and twin sister, laid the groundwork for the life she would lead. Her Italian heritage also seems to have been a part of her story, giving her a unique background that, perhaps, influenced her in subtle ways, even if we don't know all the details.
Growing up in Minneapolis, she would have seen many changes over the years. Her early life experiences, though not fully detailed here, must have contributed to the person she became. It is, basically, how we all develop, isn't it? The places we grow up in and the people we are around certainly make a difference, so.
Her parents, Lucille Bonnell and Frank Shaw, gave her and Edna Mae a home in Hennepin County. This area, in Minnesota, would have been the setting for their childhood. It is, perhaps, where Mattie Della Shaw first discovered her interests and began to develop her talents, especially given her later career as a singer, too.
The fact that she was a twin, you know, also means she had a constant companion from birth. This kind of relationship, between twins, is often very close and supportive. It might have given her a unique perspective on life and relationships, which is something to think about, really.
Her European American ancestry, with family roots in Italy, shows a connection to a different culture. This blend of backgrounds, in a way, can often lead to a richer personal story. It certainly, apparently, added to the diverse heritage of her family, which became quite notable through her son's life, as a matter of fact.
Career and Lasting Influence
Mattie Della Shaw had a career as a social worker. She worked with the Minneapolis Public School System. She retired from this role, having spent time helping others within the school system. This work, you know, often involves a lot of care and dedication to the community.
People who knew her, including family and friends, regarded her highly. They would, in fact, miss her greatly, which suggests she made a positive impact on their lives. A social worker's role, after all, is to support people, and it seems she did that well, so.
Beyond her work as a social worker, Mattie Della Shaw was also a jazz singer. This artistic side of her life is quite significant. It shows she had a creative spirit and a talent for music, which is, perhaps, a family trait that passed down, too.
Her connection to music was quite important, actually. She met John L. Nelson, who would become Prince's father, through music. John performed at a jazz event, and that is where they initially met. This musical beginning to their relationship is, in a way, a charming detail about their story.
John L. Nelson was a lyricist and pianist. He performed with a jazz group called the Prince Rogers Trio. He used the stage name Prince Rogers, which is, obviously, a name that would later become very famous through his son. This musical background from both parents, you know, set a unique stage for their child.
Mattie Della Shaw Baker, as she was known later, was more than just Prince's mother. She was, as we've seen, a former singer and a social worker. Her influence, it seems, reached into his artistry and spirit. This kind of impact from a parent is, basically, something that shapes a person for life.
Her work as a social worker, too, suggests a caring nature. This dedication to helping others, in a way, might have instilled values in her son. It is, perhaps, a part of her legacy that goes beyond her musical talents, and it is something to think about.
The combination of her musical talent and her dedication to social work paints a picture of a well-rounded person. She contributed to her community through her profession and brought joy through her singing. This dual aspect of her life, you know, makes her story quite compelling, really.
Her influence, it seems, was quite deep. It wasn't just about genes, but also about the environment she created and the values she lived by. This kind of impact, as a matter of fact, can shape a person's entire path in life, especially for someone like Prince who became such a creative force.
Mattie Della Shaw and Prince: A Deep Connection
Prince was the son of Mattie Della (Shaw), a jazz singer, and John L. Nelson, a lyricist and pianist. His parents, in fact, were both musicians. This background, you know, meant Prince was raised in a home filled with music, which is, obviously, a huge influence on a future artist.
When Prince's mother, Mattie Della Shaw Baker, died on February 15, 2002, he had been aware of the great influence she had on his art for a long time. This influence, it seems, had not always been positive, but it had, basically, all been there. It is, perhaps, a complex relationship, as many parent-child relationships are, so.
During a concert in Chicago in 2002, shortly after her passing, Prince played "Anna Stesia." This song was his mom's favorite. This act, in a way, was a public tribute to her, showing the depth of his feelings and the connection he still felt to her music and her memory, which is quite moving.
Mattie Della Shaw Baker passed away on February 15, 2002, at Fairview Southdale Hospital after a long illness. Her passing was a significant event for Prince. It seems, too, that he carried her influence with him throughout his life and career, even when it was a difficult influence, you know.
The fact that his parents met through music, at a jazz performance, highlights the musical thread running through their family. Prince's father performed under the stage name Prince Rogers, which, in a way, is a name that became so iconic through his son. It's almost like destiny, in some respects.
Prince's diverse heritage, including his mother's European American ancestry from Italy, played a significant part in shaping his identity and his artistic expression. This mix of backgrounds, in fact, can often inspire a unique creative vision, and it is something that, arguably, helped make Prince the artist he was.
The influence of a parent on a child's art can be profound. For Prince, his mother's role as a jazz singer and her spirit clearly left a mark. Even if the influence was not always seen as positive, it was, nevertheless, a powerful force in his creative life, which is a common theme for many artists, too.
Her passing, in 2002, was a moment that brought her influence into sharper focus for Prince. Playing her favorite song, "Anna Stesia," at a concert, was a very public way of acknowledging that bond. It showed, you know, that her spirit was still very much with him, and that her memory lived on through his music.
The complex nature of their relationship, where her influence was not "all positive," but "all" impactful, suggests a real, human connection. It's that kind of bond that can be challenging but also incredibly formative. It is, perhaps, what made his art so rich and layered, as a matter of fact.
Her Enduring Legacy
Mattie Della Shaw's life was a blend of family connections, professional dedication, and artistic expression. She was a daughter, a twin sister, a wife, and a mother to an artist who changed music forever. Her work as a social worker, too, showed her commitment to helping people in her community, so.
Her legacy lives on through her family, of course, and most notably through the music and life of her son, Prince. The musical environment she helped create in his childhood, along with his father, laid the groundwork for his extraordinary career. This kind of foundation is, basically, something that stays with a person.
She was, in a way, a quiet force behind a very public figure. Her story, though not always in the spotlight, shows the deep roots that can shape a person's path. It is, perhaps, a reminder that many influences, both seen and unseen, contribute to who we become, you know.
Her memory continues through those who knew her and through the enduring impact she had on Prince. We can learn more about her on our site, and also find out more about the connections she made. Her story is a part of a larger picture, and it helps us understand this page better, too.
For more information about Prince and his family background, you can visit a site like Biography.com. Her life, in fact, adds an important piece to the puzzle of his influences, and it is something to consider, really.
Mattie Della Shaw Baker, a woman of many roles, left a lasting impression. Her contributions as a social worker and her background as a jazz singer paint a picture of a person who lived a life of purpose. It is, basically, a life worth remembering, even today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mattie Della Shaw
Who was Mattie Della Shaw?
Mattie Della Shaw was Prince's mother, a jazz singer, and a retired social worker from the Minneapolis Public School System. She was born in Minneapolis in 1933 and passed away in 2002, as a matter of fact.
What was Mattie Della Shaw's profession?
She had two notable professions. Mattie Della Shaw was a jazz singer, and she also worked as a social worker. She retired from her role with the Minneapolis Public School System, so.
How did Mattie Della Shaw influence Prince?
Mattie Della Shaw, as a jazz singer, along with Prince's father, a musician, created a musical home for him. Prince was aware of her significant influence on his art, and he even played her favorite song, "Anna Stesia," after her passing in 2002, you know. Her heritage also played a part in shaping his identity, too.
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