Ricky Martin and his husband Jwan Yosef have announced their divorce after 5 years of marriage.
In a statement via their Instagram accounts, they announced their divorce and plans for the future.
“For some time, we have considered transforming our relationship, and it is after careful consideration that we have decided to end our marriage with love, respect, and dignity for our children — preserving and honoring what we have experienced as a couple all of these wonderful years. Our greatest desire now is to continue having a healthy family dynamic and a relationship centered on our genuine friendship as we continue the joint upbringing of our children.”
In another statement issued directly to PEOPLE, they continued to emphasize their commitment to an amicable split and parenting.
“We have decided to end our marriage with love, respect and dignity for our children and honoring what we have experienced as a couple all these wonderful years,”
The two share four children: Renn, Lucia, and twin sons Matteo and Valentino.
The two successful men in their own fields have been noted, publicly, as very committed and conscientious parents. During a 2013 appearance on The Ellen Degeneres Show, they described their commitment to imbue the children with both Martin’s culture as well as Yosef’s, who is Syrian and Swedish.
Martin said, “We speak Spanish at home, but they also speak English and French. I want them to be exposed to everything.”
Furthermore, in a statement to My Kali magazine, Yosef said, “The way I bring up my babies is that I focus on Arabic rather than English or Swedish. I taught my kid how to count to 10 in Arabic and she’s only 2, which is wonderful.”
The announcement of the divorce comes a year after damning allegations against Ricky Martin by his nephew. Martin’s nephew alleged that he and Martin shared a sexual/romantic relationship. The allegations were prefaced in the week prior by a restraining order issued by a judge in Puerto Rico against the 51 year old singer.
Martin issued a statement via his attorney, Marty Singer, vehemently denying the allegations, and making a suggestion that the nephew was mentally unwell. “Unfortunately, the person who made this claim is struggling with deep mental health challenges. Ricky Martin has, of course, never been — and would never be — involved in any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew.”
Days after the bombshell allegations, the nephew dropped the allegations and the restraining order was rescinded.
