Ricky Martin and Twins' Winter Wonderland

Ricky Martin parked his stroller — carrying sons Valentino (left) and Matteo (right) for a quick phone chat while walking in snowy Central Park last Wednesday in New York City. Born via surrogate in early August, the 5-month-old fraternal twins are the first children for the popstar. In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Ricky, 37, explained,

“Yes, my babies don’t have a mom [present]. But I have a lot of incredible women in my family that will always be there for them. I have no point of comparison. I know nothing but being a single father. I am surrounded by fascinating women who really care about me and my kids, and they will always be there for them. When they come with a question, the answer will be right there with honesty. They won’t feel alone because thousands, if not millions, of children are being raised by single parents. And I’ll have to focus on the light, not the darkness.”

Stephen Lovekin/Getty

Matteo and Valentino ride in a Peg Perego Duette SW stroller ($970). Each sit in a Peg Perego Viaggio SIP 30/30 car seat in Paloma Limited Edition Premium Upholstery ($275).

Comments

I love ricky’s explantion. In general i’m a pretty conservative traditional type person, but it seems to be a double standard when lesbians like rosie o’ donnell, jodie foster, melissa etheridge, etc all have kids. And he has never even said he is gay, for all we know he is just being a single dad like plenty of single moms choose to do. Nonetheless his mom is always with him, so i’m sure the kids will have a woman presence, and ricky has always loved kids and seemed kind. Babies are cute and I love their names. That’s a great stroller too.

- Gianna on January 27th, 2009

sweet stroller! we have the triplet version.

- pyjammy on January 27th, 2009

Those babies are SO cute! He seems like he will be an amazing father. Also, my daughter has a bear blanket like that..only hers is white!

- Angi on January 27th, 2009

Why is he giving up so easily, he could still meet someone and not be a single dad, wheather that is male or female, it doesn’t really matter.

- Ivey on January 27th, 2009

Maybe he’s not giving up? Maybe he’s building his family based on what he has. If, in the future, he has a partner to raise his sons with, it’ll be an added blessing but not a requirement.
Anyway, I wish he & the boys the best in life: from one single parent to another.

- Morgan on January 27th, 2009

Beautiful boys – all three of them !

- Jess on January 27th, 2009

He is awesome!

- yogadaisy on January 27th, 2009

Ivey – Why would you say he’s giving up? He may meet someone, but right now he has decided to start a family and be the best parent he can. His twins are so cute because they have a very devoted Dad. If anything, I feel like he’s giving more!

- J-Lin on January 27th, 2009

Ivey, he said:

“Yes, my babies don’t have a mom [present].

What does that “present” represent to you? Does it indicate to you that he gave up, or do you know something we don’t? I for one would be happy to remove that “present” from his statement !

- Molly on January 27th, 2009

I dont think the [Present] means that he doesnt have a woman “at present” I think he means that they dont have a mother around… just mother figures. I think he’s a wonderful father and his boys are adorable.

- Hannah on January 27th, 2009

The boys are precious and he seems like a wonderful father!

As other comments stated, him being a single father is by no means “giving up.” Sure he may meet someone later on in life but if not, he has two wonderful sons to share his life with and that is a beautiful thing.

- Lily on January 27th, 2009

omg, that is such a cute picture! it is really too bad society is such a way that ricky felt the need to explain why he’s a single parent and why he used a surrogate. sure, he may meet someone, but right now he is a single parent who looks very happy and so do the cute chubba-wubbas in the stroller. really, the bottom line is those two children were wanted so very much and ricky had the means and committment so there it is. that is way more than can be said for a lot of people considering what i’ve read in the news.

- DLR in Canada on January 27th, 2009

I personally think kids need a mother and a father. Of course that ideal situation is not always possible. But I hate to see babies born without even an attempt at giving them both.

- Julie on January 27th, 2009

Well Julie I think in this instance it’s great. These boys are always going to know that they were wanted SO BADLY that their dad jumped through all these hoops to be able to have them in his life. What lucky boys!

- April on January 27th, 2009

They’re all beautiful, and the babies look healthy happy..but It is a double standard, plenty of women are single mothers for one reason or another, and no one asks questions, but if a male does it, people start getting really bent out of shape. Who knows what will happen down the line, right now Ricky/his babies seem very happy to be together. Hopefully he will find someone to share his family with.

- Mia on January 27th, 2009

There are kids who grow up with both a mom and dad present and still feel neglected and unloved. I think Ricky is a great man and obviously seems to be a great father. He went to great lengths to have his beautiful boys and its already obvious they are loved very much.

- Caroline on January 27th, 2009

What bothers me is that if a woman has a baby without being married, people hardly bat an eye anymore, but the minute a guy does it, everyone is questioning his sexuality. The reality is, it wouldn’t matter if he was gay or straight, any man who wants to be a single father needs either a surrogate or to be able to adopt. It has absolutely nothing to do with gay or straight.

- Beverley on January 27th, 2009

Right on Ricky! Your sons are beautiful!

- Mari on January 27th, 2009

Oh wow… I guess I missed the part where the babies don’t have a mother present. Wow. That’s amazing that Ricky would take that on!

- Candace on January 27th, 2009

Julie, just courious why do you think there was “not even an attempt”? Are you his personal assistant, or perhaps a family member? How would you know whether he didn’t date anyone (that would count as an attemp) Only because he hasn’t suceeded, doesn’t mean he hasn’t tried.

THere are lots of people who cannot find a partner they would be able or willing to live with. Why would you want Ricky to live with someone for the sake of having a wife and mother for the babies?

I personally think the harder he’d try, the less likely he would find someone. Such a person comes when the time is right, not when you search for him/her.

There is nothing wrong with being a single father or single mother. On other hand, I think that for example Jennifer Aniston, if she has a baby, it will not be with a so called father. She had so many “attempts” and we all know how it unfortuantely ended. I am sure if she has a baby noone will ever say that she didn’t attempt to find a partner.

And same applies to Ricky. You should stop judging him and/or be envious. He and the babies are doing just fine or better then that.

- Molly on January 27th, 2009

Okay, I cannot help but notice the lack of comments regarding Melissa and Tammy compared to those for Ricky Martin. No comments about “where’s the father?” No comments about saying children should have both a mother and a father. This is a same-gender couple that used donated sperm to conceive. Is it because Tammy gave birth to the kids there’s no “double standard” for them like people have for Ricky? I’m not pointing fingers, just making an observation at the vast difference between this post and the other one.

- DLR in Canada on January 27th, 2009

When Ricky did his first cover shoot with the twins a couple weeks ago, I was one of the few people who pointed out that it was unfortunate that the twins will grow up without a mother. In my opinion, none of the women in Ricky’s life can take the place of a mother.

I find it really sad that we have reached a point in our society where if you say aloud that a child needs and deserves a mother and a father people take issue with it. My stance goes for same sex couples like the Etheridges and single heterosexuals such as Sheryl Crow. I would never adopt as a single parent because I believe that a child benefits greatly from having two parents in the home (mother and father).

In a way it is kind of selfish for an individual to bring a child into the world with no mother or father just because they want a child and not even considering what it will be like for the child to grow up without a mother or father. In Ricky’s case, it is not as if these boys were sitting in an orphange somewhere; he chose to bring them into the world with help of a surrogate/egg donor. What is Ricky going to say when the boys ask who or where is their mother, “Oh, she was just some egg donor I picked out of list of candidates; I don’t know who she is and neither will you”.

I find the whole situation very weird and strange.

- Di on January 27th, 2009

I love his quote! He has chosen his words so wisely. I’m sure he’s an amazing father to those boys and they will grow up extremely loved.

- Lorus on January 28th, 2009

I just say, live and let live. He appears to adore his sons. What more could a child ask for? All the best to you Ricky! All tree of you have been blessed!

- Colleen on January 28th, 2009

What a beautiful picture! Valentino and Matteo are very lucky to have Ricky as a father. They’ll grow up with Ricky’s values and will receive lots of love and attention. Babies are always a blessing.

- Dani on January 28th, 2009

Well Di I guess all I can say is that I’m happy to be more open to different types of families and I definitely don’t see it as selfish. In my eyes, same-sex and single by choice parents who are adopting or finding ways to birth children on their own are among the best parents, because their children are wanted so badly. There was no accidental pregnancy or a “surprise” – these kids are waited for for so long, most of the time. Many people in this situation are so humbled and grateful to finally become parents, and I believe it shows.

- April on January 28th, 2009

Di – I don’t know if you have children, but I think your views are selfish. I know people who have grown up with two parents that didn’t feel loved. I was adopted by a single mother with plenty of male role models in my life. I knew I was loved and wanted and didn’t have the sames worries as my friend who has an alcoholic father and a mother who didn’t have to cope. Be very careful in judging people’s lifestyle as strange and weird because it’s not what you would choose.

- J-Lin on January 28th, 2009

Di, I am quite surprised you would say something like that about Ricky and not have anything to say about Melissa and Tammy Etheridge who are in another post. Melissa and Tammy obviously used donated sperm to have their children, and the “father” of their children is not around. Is there a difference between them and Ricky? Is it because Ricky is single and male? I was just wondering because your comment makes it sound like you are dissing all the single women who do not have someone in their life, and do not want to “wait around” for whatever reason (usually due to the biological clock ticking away), and go ahead and chose to have a child either by adoption or biologically.

- DLR in Canada on January 28th, 2009

Sorry, but I find the idea that a child needs both a mother and a father a bit judgemental and closed-minded. A mother and a father doesn’t always necessarily equal a great home and a great upbringing. Yes, I do believe that a child should have both male and female influences in their lives, but from what I gather, Ricky is very close with his mother and other female relatives, who will be there for these boys as they grow up. What’s important is that Ricky seems absolutely full of love for these boys, and I think that is the most crucial thing for them to have a good upbringing.

- Jane on January 28th, 2009

What Di meant, is that she believes its better for a child to live in a mother father family, regardless if its functional or no. Not everyone is really mature to be able to open up to other environments. Di is probably still very young and not very open minded, but she will hopefully one day realize, that her views of the world may be slightly naive, and open up herself to other establishment.

A single father is often a way better environment for a child to grow up with then in an abusive-parents family and such. More kudos to ricky and other single fathers and mothers for making their choices the right way.

- Nikka on January 28th, 2009

Ricky is looking pretty cute! He looks absolutely adorable out and about with those babies!!!

- asm1976 on January 28th, 2009

I knew my remarks would be controversial but I did not expect the ridiculous personal attacks against me from individuals who claim to be so mature and open minded and I find it quite unfortunate. The personal attacks show their immaturity.

Whenever some on this board mentions how a child needs a mother and a father, you can best believe there will be someone who will say they were or someone they know grew up in an abusive male/female household as if that situation disproves my contention.

I did not think I need to clarify or qualify my remarks but I guess I will do so since some people do not get it: I am in favor of putting a child in a loving home with two parents (mom/dad) who love each other and treat each other with mutual respect. In that home, there is no abuse or physical violence. I would not advocate an abusive heterosexual home anymore than my detractors would favor an abusive same sex home.

In my opinion, the way Ricky Martin went about becoming a father I strongly disagree with because there is no mother in the picture. I could say the same thing about the Etheridges because there is no father in that household either but since Ricky’s twins were just born, his story is more of a hot topic.

If I were a woman thinking about giving my child up for adoption and I could chose between a mom/dad household; single mom or dad or dad/dad-mom/mom household, I would place my child in a mom/dad household because that child would have the benefit of being raised in a home where both a mom and dad are present.

- Di on January 28th, 2009

Di, too bad you had no say in how Ricky became a parent. Or in how his children will be raised. Whether you agree or disagree with it is quite irrelevent – to him, to me (a parent in a 2-dad family), and to millions of others who are living their lives with no regard at all for attitudes like those you espouse. It’s quite refreshing for some, I suppose, to post anonymously on blogs such as this about things about which they have no clue in the world. So be it. Ricky will continue to live his life, as will I.

- Steven on January 29th, 2009

Di, the choice here is not between mother/father, or mother or father. The choice here is between a father, or no kids. You still fail to understand that not everyone has the luck to create the so called traditional family. This is not a perfect world, but you will undertand one day. To suggest that Ricky hasn’t even tried to find a mother, how exactly do you know? There are so many many people who try to find a partner every day everywehre in teh world, but they have no luck. And to attack a single father, or 2 father or 2 motners family, it’s just very sad. A child needs a love and a safe environment above anything else, actually. Whehter it be a traditional, or same sex marriage, or a single parent etc. That’s all what counts.

- Molly on January 29th, 2009

I think Ricky Martin is awesome!! I say him in concert in Atlantic
City and I thought he was awesome them too! It takes a big person to raise babies, especially by himself! I take my hat off to him!! I was wondering if there is any future singing concerts?

- Michelle on January 29th, 2009

He is doing a wonderful single parent job and there is nothing wrong with it!!!!!!

Handsome all 3 of them

- Simone on January 29th, 2009

I have to agree with Di on this one. As was stated in their first post it seems to be selfish that he wanted babies so bad he wouldn’t wait till he was in a stable relationship. To me it seems like a child wanting a toy so bad, you tell them they can’t have it, they throw a fit, you tell them they can have it, their happy for the little while until they see a new toy. I’m not say Ricky’s babies are toys, they are VERY cute though but I see it as something that he wanted now and may not have put in a ton of thought into what will happen once they stop being babies and become toddlers, children, teens, adults.

- Karyn on January 29th, 2009

How many children grow up with only one parenral figure in their lives ? To many to count. The most important thing in a childs life is to feel loved ….these little boys have that and much more. They are lucky little ones. Their Father is a fine man

- Lee on January 30th, 2009

I also agree with Di.

We haven’t heard from Ricky Martin for a while then he pops up with twin babies?! Babies should not be part of a celebrity fad. He has had several photo ops with his babies, it has put him back in the spotlight. He should be in the spotlight because of who HE is and HIS career not because of two innocent beings.

They are beautiful babies and I’m happy Ricky is happy and no doubt he will be a great father, but a baby should not be a career move.

Regarding the Etheridges I haven’t commented on them because they haven’t used their kids to garner public interest. They are just a happy couple who had extended their family.

- Clare on January 31st, 2009

Are you serious, do you think is that easy to “pop” surrogate kids?

He is 37 now, he is a mature man, you know? He knows what he wants, he wanted to be a father, and that implies to love his children, to care for them, to raise them.

And I have know Ricky since his days in Menudo, he has been famous always. And that was for his work, his charm, never for dirty pr tactics.

- Brok on February 2nd, 2009

wow.. I’m very surprised at the negative comments here regarding single parenthood. I feel every person (male/female/straight/homosexual) should be able to have a child if they so choose. I would prefer to bring a child into the world that is tolerant but, obviously, as noted in the above comments, that is not even close to possible at the present moment. I would think a Loving, Kind, Concerned parent, regardless of his or her sexual preference would be embraced not judged and condemned. Having a traditional mother/father home is not a guarantee for a well adjusted, independent child who grows up not to be a burden on society. How many people in these “traditional” homes have molested, abused and killed their own child? Too many. Kudos to you Ricky and any other parent who takes on the challenge of raising a child. It is the hardest task you will ever undertake and the most wonderful. Parents: Please teach your child tolerance. Our world will be so much better for them.

- Cyn on March 6th, 2009

i love riki.hi is very beautiful.

- ilashka on March 28th, 2009

Ricky Martin, If you need somebody to help you I am willing to help.

- Richard on May 13th, 2009