India Benet mother Tami Marie Stauff passed away in an accident on April 24, 1993, at age 25. At the time India was just a toddler.
In 2013, Eric Benet marked her birthday and wrote, "Happy birthday Tami M Stauff. @indiabenet angel mommy," on Twitter.
After three years of togetherness, the pair welcomed their first child, a daughter, on December 3, 1991. During this period, the singer was trying to get a proper start to his career.
Meanwhile, Eric launched an album with his sister Lisa and their cousin. The album was a massive hit.
Benet and Shuaff had an early taste of success and happily transitioned into life as parents with their little nugget, India.
A mother of one was living most of her life with a caring boyfriend and their 16-month-old toddler until she was involved in a fatal car accident that took her life.
Following this, Eric became a single father surrounded by sorrows, pains, and responsibilities. The singer credits his loving family for supporting him in such a challenging situation.
Before Stauff's passing, the singer admits to focusing more on becoming a star than a father. "I was a dad, but I was mainly a dad on the weekends," he shared with People.
He further said as he was trying to make music happen, "The faith said, 'No, this is the deal. We're gonna take India's mom, and you are now a father.'"
