(CNN) At the height of his stardom in the 1980s, Prince was ubiquitous, a marquee star who sold out stadiums, stole the silver screen and slayed fans with his bare-chested sass and sexuality.

Then a dispute with his record company in the 1990s changed his worldview and he retreated from the public eye.

Save for the occasional awards show, benefit or tour, we saw very little of the Purple One. He kept his private life private -- no small feat in the age of social media.

Prince tweeted his passport photo on February 11. The photo quickly took the Internet by storm.

Prince speaks at the 2015 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Additionally, last year, Prince released the song "Baltimore," addressing the unrest after the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody. He performed at a benefit concert in the city and gave a portion of the proceeds to youth groups in Baltimore.

Prince speaks at the 2015 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Additionally, last year, Prince released the song "Baltimore," addressing the unrest after the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody. He performed at a benefit concert in the city and gave a portion of the proceeds to youth groups in Baltimore.

Left to right: Zooey Deschanel, Prince, and Jake Johnson in a scene from the TV show "New Girl" which aired in 2014.

Left to right: Zooey Deschanel, Prince, and Jake Johnson in a scene from the TV show "New Girl" which aired in 2014.

Prince is seen in the stands during the 2014 French Open in Paris.

Prince is seen in the stands during the 2014 French Open in Paris.

Prince performs at the 2013 Skanderborg Festival in Denmark.

Prince performs at the 2013 Skanderborg Festival in Denmark.

A year later, Prince performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

A year later, Prince performs during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Prince presents the winner for Record of the Year to Gotye and Kimbra during the 55th Grammy Awards in 2013.

Prince presents the winner for Record of the Year to Gotye and Kimbra during the 55th Grammy Awards in 2013.

Prince on stage with singer Mary J. Blige during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

Prince on stage with singer Mary J. Blige during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas.

Prince performing at the Femoren on August 6, 2011, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Prince performing at the Femoren on August 6, 2011, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

American pop legend Prince is pictured performing on the final night of the Hop Farm Music Festival in Kent, United Kingdom, in 2011.

American pop legend Prince is pictured performing on the final night of the Hop Farm Music Festival in Kent, United Kingdom, in 2011.

Prince performs during his Welcome 2 America tour at Madison Square Garden in 2011 in New York.

Prince performs during his Welcome 2 America tour at Madison Square Garden in 2011 in New York.

Prince performs on the runway at the spring/summer 2008 collection fashion show by Matthew Williamson during London Fashion Week in September 2007.

Prince performs on the runway at the spring/summer 2008 collection fashion show by Matthew Williamson during London Fashion Week in September 2007.

He left his imprint on many aspects of popular culture, from film to movies to sports to politics. As the Minnesota Vikings prepped to take on the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFC championship game, Prince wrote a fight song entitled "Purple and Gold" to inspire his home team. The Vikings lost. He was the half-time performer at the Super Bowl in 2007 in Miami Gardens, Florida, seen here.

He left his imprint on many aspects of popular culture, from film to movies to sports to politics. As the Minnesota Vikings prepped to take on the New Orleans Saints in the 2010 NFC championship game, Prince wrote a fight song entitled "Purple and Gold" to inspire his home team. The Vikings lost. He was the half-time performer at the Super Bowl in 2007 in Miami Gardens, Florida, seen here.

Prince performs during a news conference for Super Bowl XLI in 2007.

Prince performs during a news conference for Super Bowl XLI in 2007.

Prince at the 2005 NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.

Prince at the 2005 NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles.

Prince arrives with his then-wife, Manuela Testolini, for the 77th Academy Awards on February 27, 2005, in Los Angeles.

Prince arrives with his then-wife, Manuela Testolini, for the 77th Academy Awards on February 27, 2005, in Los Angeles.

Prince performs in Hong Kong on October 17, 2003. Prince's concert was the the opening act in a four-week government-sponsored music festival titled "Hong Kong Harbor Fest," aimed at boosting the image of SARS-battered Hong Kong.

Prince performs in Hong Kong on October 17, 2003. Prince's concert was the the opening act in a four-week government-sponsored music festival titled "Hong Kong Harbor Fest," aimed at boosting the image of SARS-battered Hong Kong.

A disguised Prince speaks at GQ magazine's third annual Men of the Year Awards in 1998.

A disguised Prince speaks at GQ magazine's third annual Men of the Year Awards in 1998.

Muhammad Ali pats Prince's head prior to a news conference where they were to announce plans for a benefit concert in 1997.

Muhammad Ali pats Prince's head prior to a news conference where they were to announce plans for a benefit concert in 1997.

Prince poses for a photo in Toronto in 1996.

Prince poses for a photo in Toronto in 1996.

As dozens of singers perform "We Are The World" on the 10th anniversary of the African famine relief anthem, the artist formerly known as Prince stands sucking on a lollipop next to Quincy Jones at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles in 1995.

As dozens of singers perform "We Are The World" on the 10th anniversary of the African famine relief anthem, the artist formerly known as Prince stands sucking on a lollipop next to Quincy Jones at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles in 1995.

A disguised Prince appears at a Virgin Records in London in 1995.

A disguised Prince appears at a Virgin Records in London in 1995.

Prince arrives at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1994.

Prince arrives at the Ritz Hotel in Paris in 1994.

Prince performs at the Globe Arena in Stockholm in 1993.

Prince performs at the Globe Arena in Stockholm in 1993.

Prince performs at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles in 1991.

Prince performs at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles in 1991.

Prince listens to the crowd during a 1991 concert.

Prince listens to the crowd during a 1991 concert.

Prince performs during "The Nude Tour" in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1990.

Prince performs during "The Nude Tour" in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in 1990.

The singer's predilection for lavishly kinky story-songs earned him the nickname "His Royal Badness." He is also known as the "Purple One" because of his colorful fashions. He is seen here in 1990.

The singer's predilection for lavishly kinky story-songs earned him the nickname "His Royal Badness." He is also known as the "Purple One" because of his colorful fashions. He is seen here in 1990.

Prince performs at Wembley Arena in London in 1988.

Prince performs at Wembley Arena in London in 1988.

Prince in a scene from the 1986 film "Under the Cherry Moon."

Prince in a scene from the 1986 film "Under the Cherry Moon."

Prince in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.

Prince in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.

Prince performs live at the 1985 Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California. He created what became known as the Minneapolis sound, which was a funky blend of pop, synth and new wave.

Prince performs live at the 1985 Fabulous Forum in Inglewood, California. He created what became known as the Minneapolis sound, which was a funky blend of pop, synth and new wave.

Prince performs live at the Fabulous Forum in 1985, in Inglewood, California.

Prince performs live at the Fabulous Forum in 1985, in Inglewood, California.

Prince performs at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in 1984.

Prince performs at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in 1984.

Prince performs in New York in 1984. Controversy followed the singer and that, in part, made his fans adore him more. His 1984 song, "Darling Nikki," details a one-night stand and prompted the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center. Led by Al Gore's then-wife, Tipper Gore, the group encouraged record companies to place advisory labels on albums with explicit lyrics.

Prince performs in New York in 1984. Controversy followed the singer and that, in part, made his fans adore him more. His 1984 song, "Darling Nikki," details a one-night stand and prompted the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center. Led by Al Gore's then-wife, Tipper Gore, the group encouraged record companies to place advisory labels on albums with explicit lyrics.

Prince, seen here on set, won an Oscar for the original song score for the classic film.

Prince, seen here on set, won an Oscar for the original song score for the classic film.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in a scene from the movie "Purple Rain," which was released in 1984.

Prince and Apollonia Kotero in a scene from the movie "Purple Rain," which was released in 1984.

Prince at the Lyceum in London in 1981.

Prince at the Lyceum in London in 1981.

He performs at the Palladium in New York in 1981.

He performs at the Palladium in New York in 1981.

Prince performs in New York in 1980. Prince won seven Grammy Awards, and earned 30 nominations. Five of his singles topped the charts and 14 other songs hit the Top 10.

Prince performs in New York in 1980. Prince won seven Grammy Awards, and earned 30 nominations. Five of his singles topped the charts and 14 other songs hit the Top 10.

Singer and songwriter Prince performs onstage during his Purple Rain Tour in 1984. The artist, who pioneered "the Minneapolis sound" and took on the music industry in his fight for creative freedom, died in April 2016 at age 57.

He fought to protect his brand in an industry known for its formulaic approach by maintaining a tight grip on his music -- keeping it off YouTube and streaming services. He also had a strict no-cameras policy at his shows.

All of which made his death Thursday that much more shocking. A look at the last few days of his life provides some clues in hindsight that all was not well, but it's safe to assume that if Prince knew death was near, he didn't want us to know.

April 7: Atlanta shows postponed

Fans were lined up outside Atlanta's Fox Theatre for Prince's "Piano & A Microphone Tour" when the news broke: He had to postpone due to illness.

The show promised to be an "intimate" gathering of classic hits, B-sides and "other surprises from his vast catalog."

Fans were nearly inconsolable -- not just because of the postponement, but the reason given by the venue: "the entertainer is battling the flu."

Many worried that a bigger health problem could be afoot; some expressed their anxiety in meme form.

April 14: The show goes on

A week later, he redeemed himself when he returned to the Fox to perform two 80-minute concerts back-to-back. They were short for Prince, but fans basked in his aura as lavender smoke filled the stage.

The backdrop swirled with kaleidoscopic graphics and pop-art images of the artist. As usual, Prince requested a no-cameras policy during the action; images surfaced after his death showing that many people had trouble adhering to it.

I snuck a photo of #Prince during his concert in ATL last week. Don't normally break the rules, but so glad I did. pic.twitter.com/gqkMLnx0Pw — Amiee Stubbs (@AmieeStubbsPix) April 21, 2016

R.I.P. Prince. A photo I got after his show in Atlanta last week - his last concert. #Prince pic.twitter.com/65T30NwkIw — DavidEckoff (@davideckoff) April 21, 2016

As his royal silhouette appeared to kick off the 7 p.m. show, the crowd's shrieks rivaled Darling Nikki's.

Wearing Summer of Love-inspired bell-bottoms, carrying a cane (he'd long suffered from a bad hip) and crowned by an Afro, he paused at the front of the stage to accept the adulation, according to accounts of the concert.

Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Loose hair and bare chested -- the cover of Prince's 1979 self-titled sophomore album.

Hide Caption 1 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks "Purple rain, purple rain" -- The color which he became known for was best represented in the 1984 film "Purple Rain". Hide Caption 2 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Rockstar dandy -- From the Purple Rain 1984 tour. Hide Caption 3 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Naughty and nude -- The cover of Lovesexy, his tenth album was released in 1988.

Hide Caption 4 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Showing some skin -- Prince and The New Power Generation perform "Gett Off" at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. This revealing yellow jumpsuit was arguably one of his more outrageous outfits.

Hide Caption 5 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks True blue -- Coordinating an outfit around one color was a Prince signature. Here he is in electric blue at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.

Hide Caption 6 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Is that you Prince? -- He reportedly wore this wig, sunglasses, and false goatee as a disguise when he played with the opening act of The 10th Anniversary Essence Music Festival on July 2, 2004 in New Orleans.

Hide Caption 7 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks White hot -- Wearing white hood and heels at the People's Choice Awards, 2005.

Hide Caption 8 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks It's all about color -- A memorable performance at the Pepsi Halftime Show at Super Bowl XLI, February 4, 2007. Hide Caption 9 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Power suiting -- Presenting the Best Female R&B Performance award during the 50th annual Grammy awards, February 10, 2008.

Hide Caption 10 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Never afraid to shine -- Wearing a head-to-toe sequined ensemble when he performed at Madison Square Garden in 2011.

Hide Caption 11 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Tangerine dreams - Prince in another monochrome outfit, speaking onstage during The 57th Annual Grammys, February 8, 2015.

Hide Caption 12 of 13 Photos: Prince's most iconic looks Solid gold -- Prince speaking onstage during the 2015 American Music Awards.

Hide Caption 13 of 13

Taking his seat at a purple piano (technically, a Yamaha digital keyboard inside a grand piano shell, according to the piano maker), he offered a melodic apology for the missed date, then roared into "Little Red Corvette," which segued to a playful rendition of Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy."

The medley was emblematic of Prince's playful ingenuity.

Despite reports that he was recovering from the flu, illness was undetectable in his full-throated versions of "The Beautiful Ones" and "Nothing Compares 2 U."

"Prince played the audience like a second instrument, bringing us to our feet for 'I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man' and virtually to our knees with his mournful take on Joni Mitchell's 'A Case of You,'" CNN's Melonyce McAfee said.

A second encore included an R&B-tinged version of David Bowie's "Heroes."

"Little did we know the night's second show would be Prince's last public performance," McAfee said. "Now it feels all the more poignant that for one final night, we lived our dream and sang in unison with one of our heroes."

Prince apparently relished the moment, too.

"I am transformed," he said on Twitter the next day.

April 15: An unexpected detour

As he flew back to Minnesota after the performance, Prince made an unexpected stop -- an emergency landing and a dash to a hospital in Moline, Illinois.

Afterward, his publicist reassured fans: "He is fine and at home," a statement said, without explaining exactly what happened.

April 16: Biking, Paisley Park dance party

Just hours after the hospital detour, Prince was seen riding his bicycle through the parking lot of a mall in Chanhassen, Minnesota, where he lived.

"I couldn't believe I was looking at him, especially after hearing he had not been feeling well," Kelly Collins told CNN's Kyung Lah.

Later that evening, ever the professional, Prince rebounded for a small gathering of fans at Paisley Park, his home and recording studio in suburban Minneapolis where he hosted late-night concerts and dance parties. Not only did he host but he also performed "to give thanks for the good weather and for all the love and support," he said on Twitter.

2 GIVE THANX 4 THE GOOD WEATHER AND 4 ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT... pic.twitter.com/PEcHzLnYvc — Prince (@prince) April 16, 2016

Michael Holz, a DJ at many of those parties, was there Saturday. Prince made a passing reference to the emergency landing, he told WCCO

"He basically said when you hear news, give it a few days before you waste any prayers," Holz said.

The appearance seemed aimed at proving he was alive and well, Minneapolis Star-Tribune music critic Jon Bream wrote the next day.

Photos: The world remembers Prince Photos: The world remembers Prince After kissing his fingers, a fan touches Prince's star on the wall of First Avenue and 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 21. The legendary musician died at his home in Minnesota at the age of 57. Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince A rainbow appears over Paisley Park near a memorial for Prince in Chanhassen, Minnesota, on Thursday, April 21. Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince People dance in the street to the music of Prince at Leimert Park in Los Angeles on April 21. Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince People gather outside the Apollo Theater in New York to mourn and celebrate the life of Prince on April 21. Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince A tribute is displayed on the scoreboard at Target Field in Minneapolis on April 21. Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince In Minnesota, the Lowry Avenue Bridge is lit up in purple to honor Prince. Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince Los Angeles City Hall is bathed in purple light in memory of Prince on April 21. Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince KMOJ DJs Walter "Q Bear" Banks, left, and Shed G embrace as they talk about the death of Prince on April 21. Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince Purple lights illuminate the ceiling and crowd at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas as fans wait for a concert by Chvrches and Wolf Alice on April 21. Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans is lit up in the color purple to honor the pop legend. Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince The Melbourne Arts center spire lights up in purple on April 22. Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince Prince's symbol is broadcast on the Texas Rangers video screen over the right field roof during a game between the Rangers and Houston Astros in Arlington, Texas. Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince San Francisco's City Hall is seen bathed in purple light. Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince Sign O' the Times: The O2 concert venue in London put tributes to Prince on its screens. Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: The world remembers Prince Delta Air Lines Flight 1668 from Los Angeles to Minneapolis shaded its cabin Thursday in the color purple in honor of Prince. Hide Caption 15 of 15

"I have to leave it in the case, or I'll be tempted to play it," Prince told the crowd of a new guitar, according to Bream. "I can't play the guitar at all these days, so I can keep my mind on this (the solo piano) and get better."

He also unveiled a new, custom purple Yamaha grand piano, which was to be the centerpiece of his tour.

Fans noted that he maintained high spirits even though he appeared frail.

"I just thought he looked really pale and thin, and kind of tired," said Deanne Jensen, who attended Saturday's party. "But he has been thin for a long time."

Mike Rendahl, who was also at the party, said Prince appeared pale but kept the mood light as he showed off his purple piano.

"He seemed like a kid doing show-and-tell," Rendahl said. "You could tell he really liked it."

BOOM (FROM LOTUSFLOWER) ON THIS NEWLY ARRIVED PURPLE PRESENT FROM YAMAHA.... "RESOUNDING!" pic.twitter.com/cXwRPi1wzG — Prince (@prince) April 12, 2016

Again, Prince relished the moment, thanking fans for their "extra time," an apparent reference to his hit song, "Kiss."

THANX EVERYBODY 4 UR EXTRA TIME & UR... — Prince (@prince) April 17, 2016

April 17: Feeling 'rejuvenated'

The singer replied to a fan on Twitter who'd attended the Atlanta show with the hashtags #FeelingRejuvenated #FeelingInspired and #FeelingLoved.

April 19: Attending a concert

Prince attended a concert at the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant in Minneapolis on Tuesday, according to staffer Lucas Harrington. He did not perform.

April 20: Last seen alive

An unidentified person dropped Prince off at Paisley Park around 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said Friday during a news conference. He was alone in the complex for the rest of the night, which was normal for Prince, given his private persona, Olson said.

April 21: World loses a legend

A man called 911 at 9:43 a.m. Thursday from Prince's estate after finding a person unresponsive in an elevator at Paisley Park Studios.

"The person is dead here. ... And the people are just distraught," the man said as he struggled to find an address to give the dispatcher.

Emergency crews later discovered the man was Prince.

After paramedics' desperate CPR attempts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at 10:07 a.m.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. An autopsy was performed Friday; it could take days, even weeks for results to come back.