History of Ricky Martin in Timeline
Enrique Martin Morales, known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and actor. He gained initial fame as a member of the boy band Menudo before launching a successful solo career in 1991. His music incorporates diverse genres including Latin pop, dance, reggaeton, and salsa. Early in his solo career he released two studio albums, Ricky Martin (1991) and Me Amaras (1993), focused on ballads, gaining recognition in Latin America.
December 24, 1971: Ricky Martin's Birth
On December 24, 1971, Enrique Martin Morales, later known as Ricky Martin, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
September 16, 1984: Debut Performance with Menudo
On September 16, 1984, Ricky Martin made his debut performance with Menudo at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center in San Juan.
1984: Release of 'Evolución'
In 1984, Menudo released the Grammy-nominated album 'Evolución', which featured Ricky Martin's debut single, "Rayo de Luna".
1985: Release of 'Menudo' album and appearance on 'The Love Boat'
In 1985, Menudo released their highest-charting album, 'Menudo', and Ricky Martin appeared with the group in 'The Love Boat'.
1987: Appearance in 'Por Siempre Amigos'
In 1987, Ricky Martin appeared with other members of Menudo in the Argentine soap opera 'Por Siempre Amigos'.
July 1989: Ricky Martin Leaves Menudo
In July 1989, at the age of 17, Ricky Martin left Menudo to evaluate his career path, performing his final show at the same venue where he had his debut.
1990: Role in 'Mama Ama el Rock' and 'Alcanzar una estrella'
In 1990, Ricky Martin accepted a role in the musical comedy 'Mama Ama el Rock' in Mexico City and also starred in the Mexican telenovela 'Alcanzar una estrella'.
November 26, 1991: Release of Debut Solo Album
On November 26, 1991, Ricky Martin released his debut solo album, 'Ricky Martin', which achieved significant success and spawned hit singles.
1991: Role in 'Alcanzar una estrella II'
In 1991, Ricky Martin joined the cast for the second season of the show, titled 'Alcanzar una estrella II'.
1992: Starring in 'Más que alcanzar una estrella'
In 1992, Ricky Martin starred in the film 'Más que alcanzar una estrella', based on the TV series, earning him an El Heraldo Award for his role.
1993: Harrowing Incidents in 1993
During 1993, Ricky Martin was involved in a car accident and narrowly escaped a plane crash, where a plane that flew him to San Diego, California for an interview, crashed right after dropping him off.
1993: Release of 'Me Amaras'
In 1993, Ricky Martin released his second album, 'Me Amaras', which continued his focus on ballads and furthered his recognition in Latin America.
1994: Role in 'General Hospital'
From 1994, Ricky Martin had a role in the soap opera 'General Hospital', showcasing his acting abilities.
September 1995: Release of 'A Medio Vivir' Album
In September 1995, Ricky Martin released his third studio album, 'A Medio Vivir', which achieved huge success and spawned hits like "María".
1995: Recognition of Improved Vocal Skills
In 1995, Enrique Lopetegui of the Los Angeles Times noted Ricky Martin's "improved vocal skills" on A Medio Vivir.
1995: Rise to Prominence in Europe with "A Medio Vivir"
In 1995, Ricky Martin's album 'A Medio Vivir' marked his rise to prominence in European countries, with the hit single "María".
1996: End of General Hospital Role
In 1996, Ricky Martin ended his role in 'General Hospital'.
1996: Broadway Debut in Les Misérables
In 1996, after expressing interest in Broadway, Ricky Martin was offered and accepted the role of Marius Pontmercy in Les Misérables, following the conclusion of his A Medio Vivir Tour in Latin America.
1997: Recording Vuelve and FIFA Contact
In 1997, Ricky Martin was recording his fourth album Vuelve while touring, which he described as "brutal and incredibly intense". During the album's completion, FIFA contacted Martin to create a song for the 1998 FIFA World Cup anthem.
February 12, 1998: Release of Vuelve
On February 12, 1998, Ricky Martin released his fourth album, Vuelve, which included the hit song "La Copa de la Vida". The album became a huge success, selling over eight million copies worldwide.
February 1998: "Tal Vez" Debut
In February 1998, there was a #1 debut on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart.
October 1998: Working on First English Language Album
In October 1998, CNN confirmed that Ricky Martin was working on his first English-language album, following the success of Vuelve.
1998: International Success with 'Vuelve'
In 1998, Ricky Martin solidified his international success with his fourth album, 'Vuelve', which earned him his first Grammy Award and featured songs like "Vuelve" and "La Copa de la Vida".
1998: "María" Tops Charts in Australia
In 1998, Ricky Martin's song "María" spent six weeks at number one in Australia, topping the country's year-end chart and being certified platinum.
1998: Creating "La Copa de la Vida"
In 1998, following FIFA's request, Ricky Martin accepted the challenge to create the 1998 FIFA World Cup anthem. He collaborated with musicians K.C. Porter, Robi Rosa, and Desmond Child to work on "La Copa de la Vida".
February 24, 1999: Grammy Awards Performance and Win
On February 24, 1999, Ricky Martin performed a bilingual version of "La Copa de la Vida" at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards and won his first Grammy award for Best Latin Pop Performance for Vuelve.
May 11, 1999: Release of Ricky Martin
On May 11, 1999, Ricky Martin released his first English-language album, titled Ricky Martin. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 661,000 copies sold in the first week.
June 1999: Release of "She's All I Ever Had"
In June 1999, "She's All I Ever Had" was released as the second single from the album Ricky Martin. It peaked at numbers two and three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Canada Top Singles charts, respectively.
July 1999: Cover of The Advocate
In July 1999, Ricky Martin appeared on the cover of The Advocate, an American LGBTQ-interest magazine.
1999: "Livin' la Vida Loca" Nomination
In 1999, Ricky Martin became the first Latin artist nominated for Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards for "Livin' la Vida Loca". The video won five awards at the ceremony.
1999: Ricky Martin's First English Album
In 1999, Ricky Martin released his first English album, which topped the US Billboard 200, with the lead single "Livin' la Vida Loca" achieving number one status on multiple charts, marking the beginning of the "Latin explosion".
1999: Success of 'Ricky Martin' Album
In 1999, Ricky Martin's album, 'Ricky Martin', achieved significant success, paving the way for other Latin artists to gain mainstream recognition.
1999: "María" Featured in Guinness Book of Records
In 1999, Ricky Martin's song "María" was featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest Latin hit.
November 14, 2000: Release of Sound Loaded
On November 14, 2000, Ricky Martin released his sixth studio album, Sound Loaded. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200.
2000: Livin' la Vida Loca Tour
In 2000, Ricky Martin's Livin' la Vida Loca Tour became the highest-grossing tour by a Latin artist in the US.
2000: Barbara Walters Interview
In 2000, during an interview with Barbara Walters, Ricky Martin was asked about his sexuality, leading him to feel violated. He was not ready to come out at the time.
January 20, 2001: Performance at George W. Bush's Inauguration
On January 20, 2001, Ricky Martin performed "The Cup of Life" at the first inauguration of George W. Bush and danced with him.
February 2001: Release of La Historia
In February 2001, Ricky Martin released a Spanish compilation album entitled La Historia, which spent five weeks at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart.
March 2001: Purchase of Miami Beach house
In March 2001, Ricky Martin bought a 7,082 sq ft house in Miami Beach for $6.4 million, marking a significant real estate investment.
2001: Awards for "She Bangs" Music Video
In 2001, the music video for "She Bangs" was awarded Best Music Video at the 2nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards, Best Clip of the Year – Latin at the 2001 Billboard Music Video Awards, and Video of the Year at the 13th Lo Nuestro Awards.
2002: Beliefs Expressed in Interview
In 2002, Ricky Martin expressed his belief in "love", "the power of healing", and "God" during an interview with People, crediting his parents for instilling these values.
2002: Tying for Highest Spanish-Language Debut
In 2002, the album Quizás tied for the highest Spanish-language debut on the Billboard 200 chart.
April 12, 2003: "Tal Vez" Debut at Number One
On April 12, 2003, Ricky Martin's "Tal Vez" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart, marking the first number one debut since February 1998.
May 2003: Release of Almas del Silencio
In May 2003, Ricky Martin released his seventh studio album, Almas del Silencio, which debuted atop the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart with record-breaking first-week sales for a Spanish-language album in the US.
2003: Release of 'Almas del Silencio'
In 2003, Ricky Martin released the album 'Almas del Silencio', adding to his list of successful albums.
September 2004: Purchase of Los Angeles Villa
In September 2004, Ricky Martin purchased an 11,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa in Los Angeles for $11.9 million.
2004: Founding of The Ricky Martin Foundation
In 2004, Ricky Martin founded The Ricky Martin Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on fighting against human trafficking and educating about its existence.
January 2005: Visit to Thailand After Tsunami
In January 2005, following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, Ricky Martin visited Thailand to assess the needs of minor survivors.
May 2005: Purchase of Miami Beach House
In May 2005, Ricky Martin bought a 9,491-square-foot house in Miami Beach for $10 million, further expanding his real estate portfolio.
October 2005: Release of Life
In October 2005, Ricky Martin released his third English album, Life, expressing his connection to his emotions during its creation.
March 2006: Collaboration on Llama y Vive Campaign
In March 2006, the Ricky Martin Foundation collaborated with the International Organization for Migration on the Llama y Vive campaign to prevent human trafficking and protect young victims.
August 2006: Taping of MTV Unplugged
In August 2006, Ricky Martin taped his MTV Unplugged set in Miami, performing both romantic ballads and up-tempo tropical dance songs and debuting three new tracks.
December 2006: Completion of Housing Project in Thailand
In December 2006, the Ricky Martin Foundation and Habitat for Humanity completed a project to construct 224 homes for tsunami-affected families in Thailand.
2006: Release of 'MTV Unplugged'
In 2006, Ricky Martin released the album 'MTV Unplugged', contributing to his continued success.
2006: Sale of Los Angeles Villa
In 2006, Ricky Martin sold his Mediterranean-style villa in Los Angeles for $15 million.
2007: Black and White Tour and Italian Song Release
In 2007, Ricky Martin embarked on the Black and White Tour, including sold-out shows in Puerto Rico, and released his first Italian song, "Non siamo soli", as a duet with Eros Ramazzotti.
2007: Purchase of Golden Beach Mansion
In 2007, Ricky Martin paid $16.2 million for a mansion in Golden Beach, adding another property to his portfolio.
2007: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2007, Ricky Martin was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6901 Hollywood Blvd.
August 2008: Birth of Twin Sons
In August 2008, Ricky Martin became a father to twin boys, Matteo and Valentino, born via gestational surrogacy.
2008: "International Ricky Martin Day" in Puerto Rico
In 2008, Puerto Rico named August 31 the "International Ricky Martin Day" in honor of the artist.
2008: Purchase of Private Island in Brazil
In 2008, Ricky Martin purchased a private 19.7-acre island in Brazil for $8 million, expanding his property holdings internationally.
March 2010: Publicly Came Out as Gay
In March 2010, Ricky Martin publicly came out as gay via a message on his website.
August 19, 2010: Announcement of Memoir 'Me'
On August 19, 2010, Ricky Martin announced that he had been working on his memoir, titled 'Me', scheduled for publication on November 2, 2010.
November 2, 2010: Publication of Memoir 'Me'
On November 2, 2010, Ricky Martin's memoir 'Me' was published and became a number one New York Times Best Seller.
2010: Disagreement with Arizona SB 1070 Bill
At the 2010 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Ricky Martin expressed his disagreement with the Arizona SB 1070 bill, which would have required police officers to request documents from suspected illegal immigrants.
2010: Coming Out and LGBT Rights Advocacy
Since coming out in 2010, Ricky Martin actively supports LGBT rights worldwide and is considered a gay icon.
January 2011: Release of Música + Alma + Sexo
In January 2011, Ricky Martin launched his ninth studio album, Música + Alma + Sexo, which debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart.
2011: Spanish Nationality Granted
In 2011, the Government of Spain granted Spanish nationality to Ricky Martin for his artistic contributions.
February 2012: Appearance on Glee
In February 2012, Ricky Martin appeared as a Spanish teacher on the American musical television series Glee.
March 2012: Starring in Evita on Broadway
In March 2012, Ricky Martin starred as Ché in the Broadway revival of the musical Evita.
2012: Sale of Miami Beach Villa and Purchase of New York City Condominium
In 2012, Ricky Martin sold his 9,491-square-foot house in Miami Beach for $10.6 million. Also in 2012, he bought a 3,147-square-foot condominium in New York City for $5.9 million.
2012: Starring in 'Evita' on Broadway
In 2012, Ricky Martin starred as Ché in the Broadway revival of the musical 'Evita'.
2012: Participation in Child Protection Model Law
In 2012, the Ricky Martin Foundation participated in the making of the Child Protection Model Law on the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children.
January 2013: End of Evita Run
In January 2013, Ricky Martin's run as Ché in the Broadway revival of the musical Evita came to an end.
October 2013: Ricky Martin Live Tour in Australia
In October 2013, Ricky Martin embarked on the Ricky Martin Live tour in Australia.
November 2013: Publication of Children's Book 'Santiago the Dreamer in Land Among the Stars'
In November 2013, Ricky Martin's first children's book, 'Santiago the Dreamer in Land Among the Stars', was published.
February 25, 2014: Wisin Releases "Adrenalina" Featuring Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez
On February 25, 2014, Wisin released the song "Adrenalina" featuring Ricky Martin and Jennifer Lopez. This song was from Wisin's album El Regreso del Sobreviviente and became Univision's 2014 World Cup song.
2014: Rental of Bronte Wave House
In 2014, Ricky Martin rented a 900-square-metre mansion in Sydney, which became famous as "the Bronte Wave House".
2014: End of Relationship with Carlos González Abella
In 2014, Ricky Martin's relationship with Puerto Rican economist Carlos González Abella ended.
February 2015: Release of 'A Quien Quiera Escuchar'
In February 2015, Ricky Martin released his tenth studio album, A Quien Quiera Escuchar, which achieved number one on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart and in Argentina. The album contained hits like "Adiós", "Disparo al Corazón", and "La Mordidita".
May 2015: Sale of Bronte Wave House
In May 2015, the mansion Ricky Martin rented in 2014 in Sydney, known as "the Bronte Wave House", was sold for $16 million, becoming one of the city's most expensive properties that year.
2015: Coaching on The Voice Australia
In 2015, Ricky Martin continued serving as a coach on the fourth season of The Voice Australia, further increasing his profile in Australia.
2015: Grammy Win for 'A Quien Quiera Escuchar'
In 2015, Ricky Martin won a Grammy Award for his album 'A Quien Quiera Escuchar', adding to his accolades.
March 30, 2016: Instagram Post with Jwan Yosef
On March 30, 2016, Jwan Yosef shared a photo on Instagram with Ricky Martin, hinting at the start of their relationship with the caption: "Obviously we're starting a band."
September 23, 2016: Release of "Vente Pa' Ca"
On September 23, 2016, Ricky Martin released "Vente Pa' Ca" featuring Maluma, which became a major Spanish-language hit and topped several charts.
December 2016: Purchase of Beverly Hills Mansion
In December 2016, Ricky Martin purchased an 11,300-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills, which became his current residence.
2016: Management of CNCO
In 2016, Ricky Martin managed CNCO, the winners of the first season of La Banda. He also produced the band's debut album, Primera Cita.
2017: End of One World Tour
In 2017, Ricky Martin concluded his One World Tour, which he had embarked on to promote his album A Quien Quiera Escuchar.
2017: Sale of New York City Condominium
In 2017, Ricky Martin sold his 3,147-square-foot condominium in New York City for $7.1 million.
January 2018: Marriage Confirmation
In January 2018, Ricky Martin confirmed that he had secretly married Jwan Yosef.
February 2018: Release of "Fiebre"
In February 2018, Ricky Martin released the song "Fiebre", featuring Wisin & Yandel, which achieved commercial success in Latin America and topped several Billboard charts.
2018: Emmy Nomination for 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace'
In 2018, Ricky Martin garnered an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Antonio D'Amico in 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story'.
2018: "Ricky Martin Day" in New York City
In 2018, Ricky Martin received a proclamation naming June 7 the "Ricky Martin Day" in New York City.
December 31, 2018: Welcomed First Daughter Together
On December 31, 2018, Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef announced they welcomed their first daughter together, Lucia Martin-Yosef.
June 2019: Slamming Religious Liberty Bill
In June 2019, Ricky Martin published an open letter slamming a religious liberty bill in Puerto Rico, leading to its withdrawal.
July 2019: Announcement of Menudo Biographical Series
In July 2019, SOMOS Productions, Endemol Shine Boomdog, and Piñolywood Studios announced the production of 'Subete a Mi Moto', a biographical web television series about Menudo.
September 2019: Announcement of Fourth Child
In September 2019, while accepting an award at the Human Rights Campaign National Dinner, Ricky Martin announced that he and Jwan Yosef were expecting their fourth child.
October 29, 2019: Birth of Son Renn Martin-Yosef
On October 29, 2019, Ricky Martin shared a photo with Jwan Yosef and their newborn son, Renn Martin-Yosef.
November 2019: Hosting the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards
In November 2019, Ricky Martin hosted the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards along with Roselyn Sánchez and Paz Vega.
May 2020: Release of 'Pausa' EP
In May 2020, Ricky Martin released Pausa, the first of two extended plays inspired by the 2019 political protests in Puerto Rico and impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 9, 2020: Premiere of 'Subete a Mi Moto' on Amazon Prime Video
On October 9, 2020, the biographical series 'Subete a Mi Moto' about Menudo premiered on Amazon Prime Video in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain.
November 13, 2020: Release of 'Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey'
On November 13, 2020, Ricky Martin voiced the villain Don Juan Diego in the film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, released on Netflix.
2020: Ranked as a Greatest Music Video Artist
In 2020, Billboard ranked Ricky Martin as the 79th Greatest Music Video Artist of All Time, recognizing his impact since "Livin' la Vida Loca".
February 14, 2021: US Premiere of 'Subete a Mi Moto' on Estrella TV
On February 14, 2021, the biographical series 'Subete a Mi Moto' premiered in the United States on Estrella TV.
April 2021: Release of 'Canción Bonita'
In April 2021, Ricky Martin released "Canción Bonita" with Carlos Vives, achieving commercial success in Latin America.
May 2021: Support for Ni una menos Movement
In May 2021, Ricky Martin demonstrated his support for the Ni una menos movement, condemning femicides and violence against women in Puerto Rico.
2021: Belief in God
According to his statements in a 2021 interview, Ricky Martin still believes in God. He stated that he was raised Catholic but is not "the person who would ever look down upon one religion".
2021: No More Secrets
In 2021, Ricky Martin went on the cover of People with the title "No More Secrets", declaring he is "a man with no secrets".
2021: Variety describes Ricky Martin
In 2021, Variety described Ricky Martin as "Puerto Rico's arguably most famous son".
May 2022: Release of 'Play' EP
In May 2022, Ricky Martin released Play, the second extended play, completing the project that started with Pausa.
July 13, 2022: Release of 'Play'
On July 13, 2022, Ricky Martin released 'Play'. The EP featured the singles "Otra Noche en L.A." and "A Veces Bien y a Veces Mal", with the former reaching number one in four countries.
2022: Estimated Net Worth
In 2022, La Nación estimated Ricky Martin's net worth at US$130 million, reflecting his successful career and business ventures.
July 2023: Separation and Divorce Announcement
In July 2023, Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef announced they had separated and were divorcing after six years of marriage.
2023: Most Famous Latin Music Artist
In 2023, Ricky Martin was ranked as the most famous Latin music artist in the United States, according to YouGov surveys.
October 2024: Endorsement of Kamala Harris for President
In October 2024, Ricky Martin endorsed Kamala Harris for president after a rally where Puerto Rico was disparaged.
