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According to TMZ, Matthews had been struggling with health problems for some time and the cause of death was kidney failure and abdominal illness.
Prince spotted Vanity in 1980 and Prince encouraged her to take on the name Vanity and front the band Vanity 6. The group were best known for the chart topping 1982 hit 'Nasty Girl, which Prince produced.
The group toured with Prince on his '1999' tour but she quit after that in 1984. She went on to sign a solo record deal with Motown and released two solo records, Wild Animal and Skin on Skin. She also starred in a number of films including The Last Dragon, 52 Pick-Up and Action Jackson.
Matthews was briefly involved with Prince romantically and also engaged to Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx but never married.
Mathews' career was cut short because she was struggling with crack addiction and upon overdosing in 1994 she nearly died of renal failure. When she recovered she renounced her life in show business and her stage name and to Christianity and devoted her life to the religion.
Tributes have started pouring in from around the world. Including MC Hammer who showed her love of God.
🙏🏿Today my friend & Sister Denise Katrina Matthews p/k/a #Vanity passed away. She absolutely loved GOD unto salvation. Rest in his Glory 🙏🏿
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) February 16, 2016
