Sep 15, 2009, 9:20 GMT
Sir Elton John's adoption bid has been rejected because he is homosexual and too old.
Money cannot buy everything: British singer Elton John. Sir Elton John's adoption bid has been rejected because he is homosexual and too old. EPA/PHOTOMIG
The 62-year-old singer wanted to adopt 14-month-old HIV-positive Ukrainian child Lev, who "stole his heart" when he met him at an orphanage in Donetsk.
But Ukraine's Family, Youth and Sports Minister Yuriy Pavlenko has spoken out to state the adoption would not be approved because the country's law requires parents to be no more than 45 years older than an adopted child.
Elton is more than 60 years older than Lev.
The law also requires adoptive parents to be married, and gay unions - like Elton's marriage to David Furnish in 2005 - are not recognised.
Pavlenko said: "Elton John will not be able to adopt a Ukrainian child and if he files that request we will unfortunately deny it. The law is the same for everybody: for a president, for a minister, for Elton John."
The matter is further complicated by the fact the Lev's mother has not relinquished her parental rights, meaning the child is not officially up for adoption.
Elton and David met Lev while touring the Ukraine to raise awareness of HIV/Aids last weekend.
After being photographed with the child, the 'Candle in the Wind' singer said: "David and I have always talked about adoption. David always wanted to adopt a child and I always said 'no' because I'm 62... But seeing Lev, I would love to adopt him.
"I don't know how we do that, but he has stolen my heart. And he has stolen David's heart and it would be wonderful if we can have a home. I've changed my mind today. He's such a scrumptious thing, bless his heart."
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