Caresse Henry, Madonna's Former Manager, Found Dead

She also managed Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone and Paula Abdul.

By Jocelyn Vena

Madonna's former manager, Caresse Henry, has died at age 44, CNN reports.

Henry worked with Madonna for about a decade, up until 2004, and also managed a number of other artists, including Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, Paula Abdul and Andrew Dice Clay. She is survived by her two children, Honour Kristen Norman and Ava Caresse Hinojosa, who both live in Los Angeles.

Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, released a statement to CBS News explaining that Henry "died suddenly" in Irvine, California, where she lived, on Wednesday. Funeral services will be held April 9 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Church in Westwood, California. "Despite rumors to the contrary, the cause of death has not been determined and is currently under investigation," the CBS statement continued. In a statement to CNN, Rosenberg said, "The family has requested that their privacy be respected during this difficult time."

Henry also reportedly worked as a personal assistant to Madonna, and she's credited as an artistic manager and executive producer on the TV special "Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001." According to various reports, Henry and Madonna parted ways in 2004 amid rumors that Madonna fired Henry due to the pop star's faith in Kabbalah; at the time, it was also reported that Henry quit.

Musician Jimmy Demers, who was managed by Henry, wrote a piece for the Huffington Post remembering his pal. "I'm not sure what details led her to this dark moment of hopelessness, and I'm not sure there was anything anyone could have done to save her," he wrote in response to reports that Henry had committed suicide, which has not been confirmed.