Ruddys Martínez, known as the ‘Puerto Rican Pantoja‘, has died at the age of 62. LGTBI icon, Martínez, who had been hospitalized for almost a week due to health complications, died this Sunday due to kidney failure, friends of the artist told Efe.

The reactions to his death did not wait this Monday, when friends and followers have shared their sorrow on social networks and have highlighted his artistic career of more than four decades and his help to young people from the LGTBI community rejected by their families. “His art, his career, his activism gave hope to many of us. We are indebted to our Mami Ruddys,” highlighted human rights and LGTBI activist Pedro Julio Serrano.

On stage until the end of his life, Martínez maintained a weekly show in venues such as El Refugio and Chueca, both in San Juan (Puerto Rico). He gained international relevance for his imitation of the singer Isabel Pantojaparticipating at the beginning of this century in the famous television program ‘Martian Chronicles‘.

In addition to his artistic side, Ruddys Martínez helped many young people from the LGTBI community who had been expelled from home because of their sexual orientation. “Mami Ruddys served as the mother of many LGBTQ+ young people who were kicked out of her homes and she welcomed them into her home to give them a chance at life,” Serrano highlighted.

Martínez was honored as the queen of the largest LGTBI festival in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, Orgullo Boquerón, in June 2022. “We are satisfied that We honor her in life as the Pantoja of Puerto Rico deservedas she was known internationally for her unmatched imitation of Isabel Pantoja,” Serrano concluded.

For its part, the True Self Foundation organization has celebrated the life of Mami Ruddys: “Our community appreciates your fight, affection and for making a way for us.“, he noted. Barbara Herr has also expressed on Facebook her pain for the loss of her “friend and sister”: “Together we were one of the pioneers of transformism in PR (Puerto Rico). A life working together. Memories, anecdotes, laughter and above all mutual respect and affection,” she recalled.