Ricky Martin is a popular music singer, born in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico on December 24, 1971.
Born as Enrique Martin Morales, Martin has achieved worldwide success, starting with his selection to substitute Ricky Melendez in Menudo in 1984 until 1989. His meteoric ascent to fame started in Menudo’s homebase, Caguas, site of his first concert. He signed Sony in 1990.
It continued after he left Menudo, when he moved to Mexico and participated in soap operas like Alcanzar Una Estrella II and in the music group Munecos De Papel. Later, in Hollywood he played Miguel Morez on General Hospital. It was in Mexico where he met Rebecca de Alba, a Mexican model turned TV presenter whom he has ad an on-and-off relationship for several years.
Ricky established himself in Miami and connected with music creator Desmond Child and Puerto Rican agent Angelo Medina. With these 2 in tow, Ricky created hits like ‘Maria’, ‘The Cup Of Life’ , and ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’. He sang ‘The Cup Of Life’ during a World Cup transmission that gave him worldwide exposure, but it was ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ that propelled him to the minds of all teenaged girls around the world and into the covers of Tiger Beat and all other major teen magazines world wide.
One of Ricky’s career high points was the recording of the Spanglish ballad ‘Cuidado Con Mi Corazon’ with Madonna and William Orbit. The original version was written with Patrick Leonard and the first demo remains just one of many Unreleased Madonna Songs.
Ricky was chosen, along with Felix Trinidad in 1999, to lead Puerto Rico’s worldwide tourism campaign, both exemplifying Puerto Rico’s youthfulness, enthusiasm and never give up character.
Martin has also teamed up with former Menudo bandmate Robi Rosa, who has written many of Ricky’s hits. Martin adopted three little girls from India.
In 2003, Martin announced that he and his agent, Angelo Medina, have parted ways.
In February of 2004, Martin received a lifetime achievement award at the Premios Lo Nuestro in Miami.
