• December 24, 1971
• Born in San Juan, Martin was a star in the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo starting in 1984 when he was 13 until 1988 when he aged out. Members of the band couldn't be any older than 16, ensuring they were always youthful.
• Growing up, Martin listened to American rock music by bands like Journey, Styx and Boston. He didn't come to appreciate Latin music until later.
• During his time in Munudo, Martin got to see the world and develop his skills, but there was no room for creative expression. "You were told what to wear, you were told what haircut to have, we were even told what song to sing," he told The Big Issue in 1999. "I was so confused when I left the band that I didn't know who I was. I didn't know what I liked or what I hated. I moved to New York City, looking, almost begging, for my personality to come back."
• Martin didn't come out as gay until 2010 when he posted on his website, "I am proud to say that I am a fortunate homosexual man. I am very blessed to be who I am." Two years earlier, he became the father to twin boys, Valentino and Matteo, born via surrogate. He wrote that they motivated him to come out: "To keep living as I did up until today would be to indirectly diminish the glow that my kids where born with."
• Most Americans learned about Ricky Martin in 1999 when he did a dazzling performance of "The Cup Of Life" at the Grammy Awards. By this time, he had already released four albums, but all were in Spanish. His breakthrough American hit was the English-language "Livin' La Vida Loca," which went to #1 in America 10 weeks after his Grammy performance.
• Madonna is a big fan. After his 1999 Grammy performance, they teamed up for a duet called "Be Careful (Cuidado Con Mi Corazón)," which Madonna wrote and produced with William Orbit. It was added at the last minute to Martin's self-titled album, his first sung mostly in English.
• Martin married an artist named Jwan Yosef in 2018, but they announced their divorce in 2023. They share two children together: daughter Lucia (born 2018) and son Renn (born 2019).

Comments

More Songfacts:

GypsyFleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac's "Gypsy" is about Stevie Nicks' best friend, who died of leukemia.

Come DancingThe Kinks

"Come Dancing" by The Kinks was inspired by the older sister of Ray Davies, who would make guys take her out dancing and spend their money on her, only to send them home frustrated with just a peck on the cheek.

What Do You Mean?Justin Bieber

After 47 visits to the Hot 100, Justin Bieber topped the tally for the first time on September 17, 2015 with "What Do You Mean?"

ContagiousThe Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers became the first group to score a Top 50 hit in six consecutive decades when their song "Contagious" peaked at #19 in 2001. Their first entry was their song "Shout" in 1959.

Eleanor RigbyThe Beatles

Paul McCartney based the "Eleanor Rigby" story on old ladies he met at his housing estate. He saw how sometimes when they died, nobody really noticed.

Don't ChaThe Pussycat Dolls

Sir Mix-A-Lot is credited as a writer on The Pussycat Dolls' biggest hit, "Don't Cha," because it interpolates his 1988 song "Swass," where he goes, "Don't you wish your boyfriend was swass like me?"

Editor's Picks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.