Singer Ricky Martin has become the father of twin boys born to a surrogate mother, his U.S. publicist says.

Martin, 36, best known for his song "Livin' La Vida Loca," didn't reveal the boys' names or the location of their births, but said they are healthy, People Magazine reported Wednesday.

"The children, delivered via gestational surrogacy, are healthy and already under Ricky's full-time care," a spokesman for Martin said in a statement. "Ricky is elated to begin this new chapter in his life as a parent and will be
spending the remainder of the year out of the public spotlight in order to spend time with his children."

The Puerto Rican singer is unmarried, and the statement did not reveal the identity of the surrogate mother. Martin has long denied rumors that he is gay, despite having a large gay fan following. He is also well-known for his charity
work on children's causes through his Ricky Martin Foundation.