Ricky Martin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Martin and the second or maternal family name is Morales.

Quick facts for kids Ricky Martin
Martin at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards
Born	Enrique José Martín Morales (1971-12-24) December 24, 1971 (age 53) San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation	Singer songwriter actor model author
Years active	1984–present
Organization	Martin Music Lab Ricky Martin Foundation
Works	Albums singles songs videography
Spouse(s)	Jwan Yosef (m. 2017; separated 2023)
Children	4
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Latin pop pop dance reggaeton salsa
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Sony Mexico Columbia Sony Latin

Signature

Enrique José Martín Morales (born December 24, 1971), known to the world as Ricky Martin, is a famous singer, songwriter, and actor from Puerto Rico. He is often called the "King of Latin Pop" because of his exciting music that mixes many styles like Latin pop, dance, and salsa.

Martin's career began when he was just a boy. He appeared in TV commercials at age nine and joined the popular Puerto Rican boy band Menudo at twelve. In 1991, he started his solo career and became a star in Latin America. His song "María" became a huge international hit in 1995, making him famous in Europe.

He became a global superstar after performing "La Copa de la Vida" at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1999. His first English album, Ricky Martin, featured the smash hit "Livin' la Vida Loca". This song topped music charts all over the world. Martin's success helped bring Latin pop music to a global audience, opening doors for many other Latin artists.

Besides music, Martin has also acted in TV shows like General Hospital and the hit series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, which earned him an Emmy nomination. He has sold over 70 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time. He has won many awards, including two Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards. Martin also runs The Ricky Martin Foundation, which works to help people in need.

Early Life and First Steps in Music
Career Journey
Charity Work and Activism
Personal Life
Legacy and Influence
Images for kids
Discography
Filmography
See also

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Martin was born in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.

Enrique José Martín Morales was born on December 24, 1971, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His mother was an accountant and his father was a psychologist. His parents divorced when he was two, but he spent time with both of them and was always happy. His family called him "Kiki."

Martin loved music from a very young age. He started singing at age six, using a wooden spoon as a microphone. He sang songs by the boy band Menudo and rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Journey. His grandfather was a poet, and music was a big part of his family life.

When he was nine, he started appearing in TV commercials for products like soft drinks and fast-food restaurants. In just over a year, he starred in 11 commercials, which made him a familiar face in Puerto Rico.

Career Journey

1984–1989: Joining the Boy Band Menudo

Martin (far left) with Menudo in 1989.

Because he was already known from his commercials, Martin tried out for the popular boy band Menudo. The band had a rule that members had to leave when they turned 16 to keep the group young. At first, Martin was told he was too short. But he didn't give up, and after his third audition, the band's managers were impressed. In 1984, at age 12, he officially joined Menudo.

Martin loved traveling and performing with the group, but their schedule was very busy and strict. He later said that the experience "cost" him his childhood, but he was also grateful for the amazing opportunities he had. With Menudo, he recorded 11 albums and became a fan favorite. The band even had a hit song, "Hold Me", that made it onto the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

He left Menudo in 1989 at age 17. He wanted to take a break and think about his future. After graduating from high school, he moved to New York City to start a new chapter in his life.

1990–1998: Solo Success and a Global Hit

Martin performing at a music festival in Chile in 1996.

After a short time acting in a play in Mexico City, Martin was offered a role in a Mexican TV show called Alcanzar una estrella II. This led to a movie and his first solo record deal with Sony. His first album, Ricky Martin (1991), was a big success in Latin America.

In 1994, he moved to Los Angeles and acted in the American soap opera General Hospital. He played Miguel Morez, a singer and bartender, and became very popular with viewers.

In 1995, Martin released his third album, A Medio Vivir. This album included the song "María", which mixed different Latin music styles. At first, a record executive told him the song would ruin his career. But "María" became his first international hit, reaching number one in 20 countries and selling over five million copies. It made him a star across Europe and Australia.

1998–2000: The "Latin Explosion"

Martin performing on his Livin' la Vida Loca Tour in 2000.

While on tour, Martin was asked by FIFA to create a song for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The result was "La Copa de la Vida" ("The Cup of Life"). The song was a massive success and was included on his fourth album, Vuelve (1998). The album sold over eight million copies worldwide.

On July 12, 1998, Martin performed "La Copa de la Vida" at the World Cup Final in France for over a billion TV viewers. This performance made him a global sensation. In 1999, he performed the song again at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. The audience gave him a standing ovation, and that night he won his first Grammy Award for Vuelve.

This performance is seen as the start of the "Latin explosion" in music. It opened the door for many other Latin artists to become famous worldwide.

Two months later, Martin released his first English-language album, Ricky Martin. It went straight to number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The first single, "Livin' la Vida Loca", was a worldwide smash hit. It reached number one in over 20 countries, including the US and the UK.

2000–2012: More Music and Acting

Martin followed up his success with the album Sound Loaded (2000), which included the hits "She Bangs" and "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely", a duet with Christina Aguilera. He then released a Spanish-language album, Almas del Silencio (2003), which also topped the charts.

In 2006, he recorded an MTV Unplugged album, performing his songs with acoustic instruments. The album was very successful and won two Latin Grammy Awards. One of its new songs, "Tu Recuerdo", became a number-one hit.

In 2011, he released the album Música + Alma + ..., which became the highest-charting Spanish-language album on the Billboard 200 in years. The next year, he returned to acting, starring as Ché in the Broadway musical Evita.

2013–Present: A Global Icon

Martin in Australia in 2014

In recent years, Martin has continued to be a major force in music and entertainment. He served as a coach on the TV show The Voice in Australia and Mexico. His 2015 album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar, won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. It featured the hit song "La Mordidita", which was a huge success.

In 2018, he played Antonio D'Amico in the TV series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. His performance was highly praised and earned him an Emmy Award nomination. He also released more hit songs, like "Vente Pa' Ca" with singer Maluma.

In 2020, he released an EP called Pausa, which won a Latin Grammy. He also starred in the Netflix Christmas movie Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. He continues to tour the world, performing for millions of fans.

Charity Work and Activism

The Ricky Martin Foundation logo

In 2004, Martin started The Ricky Martin Foundation. ..... The foundation educates people about this problem and helps protect children. After the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, his foundation helped build over 200 homes for families in Thailand.

Martin also speaks out on important issues. He has supported political candidates and has spoken against laws he felt were unfair. In 2021, he joined the Ni una menos movement to protest violence against women in Puerto Rico.

Personal Life

Martin is a father to four children, who were born with the help of a surrogate. He has twin boys, a daughter, and another son. He has said that being a father is the most important role in his life.

Legacy and Influence

Ricky Martin is known as the "King of Latin Pop" for a reason. His performance at the 1999 Grammy Awards is seen as a turning point for Latin music. It helped create the "Latin explosion" that brought artists like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Enrique Iglesias to global fame. His hit "Livin' la Vida Loca" is one of the most famous songs of the 1990s and helped other Latin artists cross over to English-speaking markets.

He has won over 200 awards, including Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards, and World Music Awards. In 2007, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He continues to inspire artists and fans around the world with his music and his work to make the world a better place.