Prince helped Lauryn Hill when she was in trouble (2024)

Prince apparently helped out Lauryn Hill and her children when they got into "some trouble" a few years ago.

His faith as a Jehovah's Witness forbade him from speaking publicly about many of his humanitarianacts, so fans were never aware of his charitable activities.

The singer, whowas found unconscious in an elevator at his Paisley Park music compound near Minneapolison Thursday (April 21), wanted to do something to help Hill when he found out about her struggles.

Close friend Van Jones toldCNN: "[Prince] had found out that Lauryn had gotten in some trouble and the first thing he wanted to know was, 'where are her kids and what can we do to help'.

"This is just how he was. I guarantee you, anybody struggling, anywhere in the world, he was sending checks, he was making phone calls.

"But he did not want it to be known publicly and he did not want us to say it. But I'm going to say it, because the world needs to know that it wasn't just the music.

"The music was one way he tried to help the world, but he was helping every single day of his life."

The cause of his death could take weeks to determine, though police say there was no foul play involved.

His death has led to an outpouring of grief, from stars likeMadonna, Justin Timberlake and Oprah Winfrey, and fans across the globe.