Ricky Martin Embraces Single Fatherhood to Twin Boys

Ricky Martin is an international phenomenon…and not just for his powerful singing voice. Ricky is a single dad to 2-year-old twin boys Matteo and Valentino. That’s tough no matter where you’re from.

“Every day they teach me different things,” Ricky, 39, tells Parade of his boys, born via surrogate in August 2008.

“A lot of people say, ‘Wow, you’re a single father of twin boys, that’s crazy!’” he says. “Two toddlers can get hectic, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

But the love he has for his boys makes it all worth it. “The love is there. When you have a 2-year-old saying every other hour, ‘Papi, te amo. Papi, I love you,’ it can’t get better.”

When asked what being a dad has taught Ricky, he says, “Heavy lessons about simplicity and unconditional love. I don’t want to sound cliché, another father talking about unconditional love, but man, that’s the way it is. You hear it all the time, but when you feel this other branch of love getting stronger and stronger every day, it’s just amazing.”

Ricky, who came out last spring, is also proud to be a strong advocate in the gay community.

“It’s something I feel really good about doing,” he says. “I have been an activist for human rights for many years. Today, I’m in touch with who I am and I have the opportunity to be in front of a camera and talk to millions of people.”