The son of a Psychologist Enrique Martin Negroni and Accountant Mother Nereida Morales, Enrique Martin Morales was born in Santurce( a suburb of San Juan) in Puerto Rico on the 24th of December 1971.
Ricky's parents divorced when he was 2 years old and he lived with his mother. Ricky, or Kiki as he was affectionately known, was an active child and enjoyed playing with his 2 older hal-brothers, Fernando and Angel( from Ricky's mother's first marriage). Latr Ricky's family would include two younger half-brothers, Eric and Daniel and a sister, Vanessa, resulting from his fathers second marriage.
Ricky was an altar boy at his local church and sang in the church choir. By the age of 6 he felt he wanted to be an entertainer and told his parents, who although shocked at Ricky's determination and choice of carrier, recognised his talent and were very supportive and helped Ricky realise his dream. Although divorced, his parents both helped him and invested in acting and singing lessons for their son, and soon Ricky started acting in local and thennational commercials. He had appeared in 57 commercials before the age of 12.
Ricky's Grandmother, Iraida, a professor and author, was naturally a big influence in Ricky's life. As both Ricky's parents worked, Iraida cared for Ricky through much of his early childhood. In the show Behind the Music, Ricky reaclss being 7 years old and waking one morning screaming "Nobody loves me". His mother was saying "Why?" Ricky continues, "I don't want to go to school, Nobody loves me, Nobody loves me". His mother took him to his grandmother's hoouse and he says, "she taught me how important it is to achieve your goals, and if you want something, go get it. She was like the perfect grandmother and she taught me the value of work.
From a very ealry age Ricky always loved an audience! He was the kind of child who could be found in the house using his mother's hairbrush as a microphone and asking family members if he could sing for them. Music was always important to Ricky, although he admits that when he was young, he and his older brothers listened mostly to rocl music like, Cheap Trick, Boston, and David Bowie. Ricky recalls, "One day my mum got sick and tired of us listening to rock music in the house". Ricky's mum said, "Stop with the Rock. I can't stand it anymore. What do you guys know about Latin sounds?" The brothers had to admit they knew nothing and their mother took them along to a Celia Cruz and Tito Puente concert. Looking back, he says, "I'm very grateful. She changed our lives..."
