and are getting divorced after 29 years of marriage.
Yankee, 48, took to Instagram on Sunday, December 1, to share the news of his and González’s split, writing, “With a heart full of respect and honesty, I want to share some important news about my personal life. After more than two decades of marriage and after many months of trying to save my marriage, which my wife and I share, today my lawyers responded to the divorce petition received from Mireddys.”
The musician, whose real name is Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, noted that he had “respect” for González‘s decision.
“I appreciate the time we shared, full of blessings and values, of love and with a beautiful family that will continue to be our priority,” he continued. “This is not an easy time, but I understand that it is part of my life process.”
Yankee’s priority is the three kids — Jesaaelys, 28, and Yamilet, 27, and Jeremy, 26 — he shares with González, 47.
“I deeply thank those who have accompanied us during this journey and I ask that you respect our privacy in this process,” he added. “I know that this news may surprise many. Thank you for your unconditional support. This will be my only statement.”
Yankee and González have largely kept their romance out of the spotlight since they exchanged vows in 1995 when they were both 17. After Yankee announced his retirement from music in 2022, González praised her husband’s career.
“Today I have mixed feelings, I am HAPPY and SAD,” she wrote via Instagram. “As we celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary, I hear you tell the WORLD that you are retiring from MUSIC that has been your passion for these last three decades. Soon it’s your turn to say goodbye to the stage. You’ve enjoyed Daddy Yankee for so long, but now it’s up to Raymond Ayala to enjoy what he’s built.”
Yankee confirmed at the time that he would be devoting his life to Christianity following his retirement from music.
“Today, I’m announcing my retirement from music by giving you my best production and my best concert tour,” read his statement. “I will say goodbye celebrating these 32 years of experience with this new collector’s item, the album Legendaddy. I’m going to give you all the styles that have defined me, in one single album.” The statement didn’t have any mention of religion.
Over the years, Yankee expressed his gratitude for González’s support, telling Billboard’s “Latin Connection” podcast in 2017, “It’s been a great ride with her and I love her. Once you become a superstar, it’s very difficult to find a real, real woman. I met her before I was Daddy Yankee so she’s the right one. She loves Raymond Ayala. She’s not in love with DY.”
