Daddy Yankee and Mireddys González, his wife of 20 years, are getting a divorce, the reggaeton legend announced on Monday.
“With a heart full of respect and honesty, I want to share some important news about my personal life,” he wrote on Instagram. “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 respond to the divorce petition received by Mireddys.”
Yankee cited his faith in Christ as his “refuge” and guide during this time, and wrote that he respected González’s decision, and was grateful for their time “full of blessings, value, and love.” Along with being his wife, she was his manager and the CEO of El Cartel Records. They share three children: Yamilet, Jesaaelys, and Jeremy.
“This is not an easy time, but I understand that it is part of my life process,” he wrote. “It is time to accept and move forward, and protect my stability, my children and everything built over so many years.”
“I deeply thank those who have accompanied us during this journey and I ask that you respect our privacy in this process. I know that this news may surprise many,” he added. “Thank you for your unconditional support. This will be my only statement.”
A rep for the musician did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone request for comment.
He signed off his statement: “Thank you for your prayers and for always allowing me to share my music and my life with you. Now more than ever I trust that God has a purpose for every stage of our lives.”
Yankee married Gonzalez, his high school sweetheart, when he was 17. For a 2022 digital cover story with Rolling Stone, he reflected on spending time with his family during the pandemic. “I was like, ‘It’s my turn to live instead of working, working, and working,” he said at the time. “When I got into that reflective state, I said, ‘I need to live, too. I need an opportunity to actually enjoy everything I’ve achieved.”