Ricky Martin
The former teen star is still “hungry for life”
Ricky Martin is celebrating his 50th birthday.
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Ricky Martin is an integral part of the music business. The singer turns 50 on December 24th. A look back at his inspiring life.
Ricky Martin has been on stage for over 30 years. When he was just twelve years old, the pop musician made his debut in the youth group Menudo. Time passed by in a flash. The “King of Latin Pop” celebrates his 50th birthday on Christmas Eve. However, after over three decades in the music business, Martin has managed to remain relevant to this day. Not only with his music, but also with his passionate activism for the LGBTQ + community.
Enrique José Martín Morales was born on December 24th in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His mother, an accountant, and his father, a psychologist, separated when Martin was two years old. He spent most of his childhood with his father in the suburbs or with his grandmother. The boy was raised Catholic and even served as minister in the church. He discovered his passion for music and show business at an early age – at the age of nine he appeared in his first television commercials.
Menudo: Already a teen star at the age of twelve
In 1984 he was able to audition with the boy band Menudo, which had been active since 1977. Martin became a new member of the group at the age of twelve. So actually his musical dream came true. As for many other child stars, the hectic schedule and strict managers turned into a nightmare for Martin. Despite his dissatisfaction, he remained loyal to the group for a long time, only leaving Menudo in 1989 – at the age of 17.
After he came of age, Ricky Martin moved to Mexico City. There he played in musicals and was cast in telenovelas. In 1990 he signed a recording deal with the Latin American subsidiary of Sony Music. In November 1991 his first solo album “Ricky Martin” was released.
Ricky Martin becomes a “sex symbol”
The attractive young musician celebrated great success with his Spanish-language music. He toured Latin America, but also the United States. For his mainly female audience, the pop star was considered a “sex symbol”. Martin lived up to the role, he dated several women. What nobody knew at the time: Even as a child, he felt drawn to the same sex. He began his first secret relationship with a man in the mid-90s. He let his mother know about his homosexuality at an early age – but he kept his secret from the rest of the world.
In 1999 Ricky Martin released his hit single “Livin ‘La Vida Loca”. The song stormed the charts worldwide and even made it to number one in the USA. As his music grew in popularity, so did public interest in Martin’s personal life. In 2000, Martin, who had many gay fans at the time, was asked about his sexuality in an interview with “The Mirror”: “You could say, ‘Yes, I’m gay, or no, I’m not.'” ” I just don’t feel like it, “he replied aloud the “New York Post”. The conversation with Barbara Walters (92) was a traumatic experience, as he did in 2021 confessed to “People” magazine. At that time he was not ready to come out.
“I’m a happy homosexual man”
For about ten years, the singer was in a relationship with the Mexican TV presenter Rebecca de Alba (57). In 2005 the two separated for good. Three years later, Martin became the father of twin brothers Matteo and Valentino (* 2008), who were born to a surrogate mother. In 2010, the singer stated in a public statement on his website that he was gay. “I am proud to say that I am a happy homosexual man”, “The Guardian” quotes the post.
Today Martin is married to the Syrian-Swedish painter Jwan Yosef (* 1984). The two have two children together: daughter Lucía (* 2018) and son Renn (* 2019). The 50-year-old is one of the most successful musicians of all time – he has sold over 70 million records in the course of his career. But Ricky Martin has not only made a name for himself as an artist. The pop star is also known for his commitment to the LGBTQ + community, his fight against racism and as a human rights activist.
Ricky Martin is still “hungry for life” even at 50
In June 2021 Ricky Martin graced the “Pride” cover of the US “People” magazine. In the accompanying interview he said that he could hardly believe that he will soon be 50: “I’m so hungry for life. I’m just really fine. Probably every 50-year-old says that. But I’m serious. […] Let’s see what’s in store for me. “Today Ricky Martin looks younger and happier than ever. He seems to see it that way too.” I’m just having a really good time, “he stated.