Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977), better known as Shakira, is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist who has made a name for herself in the music world. Her albums Pies Descalzos (1995) and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998) launched her to popularity in the Latin music market, and her fifth album Laundry Service (2001) drew her international acclaim.
Shakira is known as the Queen of Latin Music for her trademark blend of Latin, Arabic, and rock music. Her smash singles Whenever, Wherever, and Underneath Your Clothes displayed her distinct approach and helped her establish herself as one of the world’s leading crossover performers. Her music has touched millions of people throughout the world, earning her the title of one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 80 million records sold.
Shakira has been active in humanitarian efforts in addition to her extraordinary musical career. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador who has worked relentlessly to promote education and health for disadvantaged children all over the world. Her charity efforts has been acknowledged with various accolades, including the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award and the Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year award.
Shakira’s artistry, charisma, and commitment to making a positive difference in the world have earned her several awards, including three Grammys, twelve Latin Grammys, and four MTV Video Music Awards. She is still inspiring and influencing people in the music industry and beyond, making an unforgettable mark on the world.
Early Life & Education
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in the lively coastal city of Barranquilla, Colombia, where the streets were alive with music and joy. Her father, William Mebarak Chadid, was of Lebanese descent and originated from New York City, while her mother, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, was from a Catalan family that went to Colombia in the 1800s.
Despite being reared as a Catholic and attending Catholic schools, she claims to have Italian ancestors, adding to her eclectic cultural history. She has eight elder half-siblings, making her family rather vast.
Patricia Mebarak, Lucy Mebarak, and Ana Mebarak are Shakira’s three sisters, and she has six brothers: Antonio Mebarak, Tonino Mebarak, Alberto Mebarak, Moises Mebarak, Edward Mebarak, and Robin Mebarak. Her interest in writing began at the age of four, when she composed her first poem and requested a typewriter for Christmas as a gift, inspired by her father’s stories.
Shakira witnessed a tragedy when her older half-brother died in a motorcycle accident while she was just two years old. Her early experience with loss and suffering would later inspire her artistic creations. Tus gafas oscuras, her first song, was composed for her father, who was grieving the loss of his son, when she was eight years old.
Shakira was a naturally curious child. At age four, she was enchanted by the sound of the doumbek, a percussion instrument she heard at a Middle Eastern restaurant, which sparked her desire to become a performer. Her hyperactivity, however, meant she was often sent out of class, and her powerful vibrato made it difficult for her to join the school choir.
Despite these early challenges, Shakira‘s love of music and writing continued to grow, and by the age of seven, she had obtained a typewriter, which she used to write poetry and songs. Her early passion for creative expression would eventually lead her to become one of the world’s most successful musicians and songwriters, with a career spanning over three decades, multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, and millions of fans worldwide.
Personal Life
Shakira’s love life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, with twists and turns that have left her admirers guessing. The Hips Don’t Lie singer began a romance with the dashing Argentinian lawyer Antonio de la Ra in the early 2000s.
While they were never legally married, they referred to each other as husband and wife, and their marriage lasted ten years. However, in 2010, Shakira and Antonio de la Rara chose to end their partnership in the hopes of finding new inspiration and clarity in their life.
Unfortunately, their separation proved to be more permanent than either of them had anticipated, and in 2013, Antonio de la Ra filed a $100 million lawsuit against Shakira. The court struggle was intense and exhausting, but in the end, a judge dismissed Shakira’s lawsuit, putting an end to the saga.
Shakira fell in love again not long after, this time with the adorable Spanish player Gerard Piqué. Their first meeting occurred on the shoot of her music video for Waka (This Time for Africa), the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Gerard Piqué and Shakira rapidly became attached, and their first child, Milan Piqué Mebarak, was born in 2013. The couple’s family expanded two years later with the birth of their second son, Sasha Piqué Mebarak.
Forbes dubbed the couple one of the World’s Most Powerful Couples due to their combined power and prominence. However, all good things must come to an end, and Shakira and Gerard Piqué announced their divorce in 2022, after eleven years of marriage.
Career
Shakira released her debut album, Magia, with Sony Music Colombia when she was 13 years old. She had created a collection of pop-rock ballads, uptempo dance tunes, and electronic accompaniment for this CD since she was eight years old.
Although Magia garnered positive reviews on Colombian radio, it did not achieve economic success, selling only 1,200 copies worldwide. Nonetheless, Sony Music saw her promise and invited her to play at Chile’s prestigious Via del Mar International Song Festival in February 1993.
Shakira was granted one last chance to create her third studio album, Pies Descalzos, by Sony Music and Columbia Records in 1995, following the success of her single “Dónde Estás Corazón?” This album debuted at number five on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart in the United States and marked her worldwide debut.
Shakira’s first two studio albums were regarded commercial failures due to her refusal to promote them, and she took a break after the release of Peligro in March to finish her high school studies. The singles from Nuestro Rock and other promotional CDs were taken off the market and are no longer regarded official her albums.
In August 1996, Pies Descalzos was certified platinum by the RIAA and spawned six hit singles, all of which charted on the U.S. Latin chart. She was awarded three Billboard Latin Music Awards the same year and went on a 20-show international tour. The album sold over 5 million copies worldwide and prompted the release of The Remixes, which included Portuguese versions of her songs.
In 1998, Shakira released her next studio album, Dónde Están los Ladrones?, which became an even bigger hit than its predecessor, selling over 7 million copies worldwide and being nominated for a Grammy Award. The following year, she recorded her first live album, MTV Unplugged, which critics highly acclaimed.
In 2000, she had a string of successes, including performing Ojos Así at the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony, winning an MTV Video Music Award, and embarking on the two-month Tour Anfibio. To broaden her reach, she created an English crossover album and worked for over a year with the help of Gloria Estefan to improve her English.
The lead single from this album, Suerte (also known as Whenever, Wherever), was released in 2001 and quickly became a massive international hit due to its unique blend of Andean music and instruments such as the charango and panpipes.
On November 13, 2001, Shakira’s fifth studio album, titled Laundry Service in English-speaking countries and Servicio De Lavanderia in Latin America and Spain, was released. It debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 list in the United States and sold over 200,000 copies in its first week. The RIAA certified the record triple platinum, assisting her in establishing her musical career in mainstream North America.
Despite critics who claimed Shakira’s English skills were inadequate and her lyrics were cliched, Laundry Service became the best-selling album of 2002, becoming the most successful record of her career and selling more than 13 million copies worldwide.
Net Worth
Shakira‘s estimated net worth is approximately $350 million. She has accumulated wealth primarily through her successful music career, business ventures, and endorsement deals.
Her albums have succeeded internationally, selling millions of records worldwide. Additionally, Shakira has made money from her television appearances.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @Shakira
- Twitter handle: @Shakira
Discography
- Waka Waka
- Hips Don’t Lie
- Chantaje
- Te Felicito
- Monotonia
- Don’t You Worry
- Whenever, Wherever
- Try Everything
- She Wolf
- Loca
- La Bicicleta
- Girl Like Me
- Addicted To You
- Pedro Fiel
- Ojos Asi
- Antologia
- La La La
- Rabiosa
- Don’t Bother
- Clandestino
- Deja Vu
- Objection
Filmography
- El Oasis
- Popstars Brazil
- Taina
- 7 Vidas
- Ugly Betty
- Wizards of Waverly Place
- Dora & Friends: Into The City
- The Voice
- Dreamland
- Global Goal: Unite For Our Future
- Dancing With My Self
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