Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ricky initiated his singing career in the Latin all boy-band group Menudo. After leaving the group he went moved to New York to study acting. After finishing his studies, he relocated to Mexico where he performed as actor in "Mama ama el Rock", "Alcanzar una Estrella II". In 1991 he began to focus his career as a soloist singer, eventually becoming an international superstar with the release of his self-titled English language album in 1996.


Named one of "People" magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People [1999] Sings the Spanish version of Go the Distance, main theme of Hercules (1997). Is a vegetarian. Created the Ricky Martin Foundation which gave a million dollar worth of musical instrument to Puerto Rican public schools. The foundation is also deeply involved in helping children who are victims of child prostitution and/or pornography, especially in India but also all around the world. According to Ricky, "This is the biggest problem our society is going to face within the next ten years". Lives in Miami Ranked #42 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists. Jon Secada, Desmond Child and Emilio Estefan have all been his music producers for his self-titled album. Welcomed twin sons Matteo and Valentino by gestational surrogate in early August 2008.