Singer Ricky Martin has obtained Spanish citizenship and thanked the government in a written statement.
Apparently, the Puerto Rican singer had applied for citizenship in March, noting that his grandmother is Iberian with a home in Madrid. He also established friend and model Esther Cañadas' home as a residence.
Many say that this measure to obtain citizenship was in an effort to marry boyfriend Carlos Gonzalez, although there was no direct mention of any alleged wedding plans.
"I made the request for Spanish citizenship some time ago, I was just waiting for a response. This step is part of planning for the future within a global community of whom I am part. I was born in Puerto Rico. That is my country. Spain is a country with which I share many memories and strong ties born of my roots and the love they have given me since I first visited."
According to rumors, Martin and his partner could marry in a few states in the United States, but he prefers to wed in Spain to recognize the work of the Zapatero government in defense of gay rights.
(FILES) This file picture dated October 1, 2011 shows Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin performing in Caracas. Puerto Rican pop sensation Ricky Martin secured Spanish citizenship on November 4, 2011, the government said, and he reportedly wants to get hitched under Spanish gay marriage laws. Leading daily El Pais said Martin wanted citizenship so he could get married to his partner, economist Carlos Gonzalez, with whom he is bringing up his twin three-year-old sons Matteo and Valentino. AFP PHOTO/LEO RAMIREZ (Photo credit should read LEO RAMIREZ/AFP/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 30: Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin performs during the Closing Ceremony of the XVI Pan American Games at the Omnilife Stadium on October 30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 30: Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin performs during the Closing Ceremony of the XVI Pan American Games at the Omnilife Stadium on October 30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 30: Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin performs during the Closing Ceremony of the XVI Pan American Games at the Omnilife Stadium on October 30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 30: Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin performs during the Closing Ceremony of the XVI Pan American Games at the Omnilife Stadium on October 30, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)
Puerto Rico's singer Ricky Martin performs during the closing ceremony of the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Fireworks explode as Puerto Rico's singer Ricky Martin performs during the closing ceremony of the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)
Pan American Games athletes take photos of Puerto Rico's singer Ricky Martin as he performs during the closing ceremony at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
A fan wearing bunny ears takes a photo as Puerto Rico's singer Ricky Martin performs at the closing ceremony of the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Puerto Rico's singer Ricky Martin performs during the closing ceremony of the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)
Some controversy over the move emerged in his native Puerto Rico, with resentment over leaving behind his homeland. Martin did say, emphatically, that "I'm Puerto Rican, and that's my home." The move toward legalizing gay marriage has not seen any momentum in Puerto Rico, where Martin has said he would like to be married.
Another famous actor shared the honor of Spanish citizenship with Ricky Martin this week -- Academy Award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro.
Both Martin and Del Toro received dual citizenship through "naturalization papers" given at the discretion of the Spanish government under extraordinary circumstances. In both cases, the Ministry of Justice stressed closer personal and professional ties to Spain. Both actors will hold dual citizenship because they originate from Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory and thereby makes them U.S. citizens.
"I inform you that the government has granted Spanish citizenship to both Benicio Del Toro and Enrique Martin Morales, known artistically as Ricky Martin. ... Allow me to note that both are recognized for different facets artistically and they want to share Spanish nationality with all of us. The government, therefore, congratulates both of them," said minister Jose Blanco, spokesman for the Spanish government.
SPANISH ANNOUNCEMENT:
Martin has lived for several years with his partner, financier Carlos Gonzalez, and Martin's 3-year-old twin sons, Matteo and Valentino. In 2010 Martin made his homosexuality public, after years of rumors from critics and fans. He characterized being a gay man as "the gift of a lifetime."
Asked about marriage recently, Martin shot down the idea emphatically.
AS we all know marriage is only for a man and a woman. Period. This fellow should seek therapy and end his twisted ways. God bless America. In God We Trust.
You go Ricky! Marriage is for ANY two pEOPLE WHO ARE IN LOVE AND WANT TO HAVE A LIFE TOGETHER! And for those who disagree- It's NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS and go back to reading the Bible and interpretting it the way YOU want to rather than what's true!
WE ALL do not know that marriage is between a man and a woman. in 1962 a black and a white could NOT get married either Judy. you must live in oklahoma. you should seek therapy for being narrowminded and bigoted. I hope you are not raising children.
the suicide rate for gay teens is 3 times higher than non-gay teens, because of people like you and disgusting comments.
wow judy! way to throw god in there, and judge people at the same time. isn't it gods commandments that say "thou shalt not pass judgment"? way to be a true christian. it is people like you that turn the rest of us against religion! congratulations on being the jackass of the day!
Congratulations Ricky! I am sad however that you could not do this in your own country. We should be ashamed of ourselves as a people that we need to marry in other countries. But in the words of Malcom X, "By any means necessary". God bless you both.
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Comments
(39)Add a comment
0 06 11
By Judy
AS we all know marriage is only for a man and a woman. Period. This fellow should seek therapy and end his twisted ways. God bless America. In God We Trust.
Reply
0 06 11
By JOE R
You go Ricky! Marriage is for ANY two pEOPLE WHO ARE IN LOVE AND WANT TO HAVE A LIFE TOGETHER! And for those who disagree- It's NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS and go back to reading the Bible and interpretting it the way YOU want to rather than what's true!
0 06 11
By drjobe
WE ALL do not know that marriage is between a man and a woman.
in 1962 a black and a white could NOT get married either Judy.
you must live in oklahoma. you should seek therapy for being narrowminded and bigoted. I hope you are not raising children.
the suicide rate for gay teens is 3 times higher than non-gay teens, because of people like you and disgusting comments.
0 06 11
By usthatswho1
Well said Judy!!
3 16 11
By NOYB
You should seek therapy for your twisted ways!
0 06 11
By Steve
Get out of here.
1 07 11
By JC
How sad that you sit in judgment! God is the only one who is to judge and a true follower of God would NOT be so cruel!
0 06 11
By bchbunnie4
You are the one that needs therapy!! You seem to harbor a lot of hate!!
0 06 11
By tammy
wow judy! way to throw god in there, and judge people at the same time. isn't it gods commandments that say "thou shalt not pass judgment"? way to be a true christian. it is people like you that turn the rest of us against religion! congratulations on being the jackass of the day!
0 06 11
By Adam
Congratulations Ricky! I am sad however that you could not do this in your own country. We should be ashamed of ourselves as a people that we need to marry in other countries. But in the words of Malcom X, "By any means necessary". God bless you both.