Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born 2 February 1977), known mononymously as Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the “Queen of Latin Music” and has been praised for her musical versatility. She made her recording debut with Sony Music Colombia at the age of 13. Following the commercial failure of her first two albums, Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), she rose to prominence in Hispanic countries with her next albums, Pies Descalzos (1995) and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). She entered the English-language market with her fifth album, Laundry Service (2001), which sold over 13 million copies worldwide. Buoyed by the international success of her singles “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes”, the album propelled her reputation as a leading crossover artist. Broadcast Music, Inc., described Shakira as a “pioneer” who extended the global reach of Latino singers.
Her success was further solidified with the Spanish albums Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005), Sale el Sol (2010), and El Dorado (2017), all of which topped the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and were certified diamond (Latin) by the Recording Industry Association of America. Meanwhile, her English albums Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005), She Wolf (2009) and Shakira (2014) were all certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum in various countries worldwide. Some of her songs have charted at number one in multiple countries, including “Whenever, Wherever”, “La Tortura”, “Hips Don’t Lie”, “Beautiful Liar”, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, “Loca”, “Can’t Remember to Forget You”, “Chantaje”, “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”, and “TQG”. She served as a coach on two seasons of the American singing competition television series The Voice (2013–2014).
With a catalog of 145 songs, Shakira has sold over 95 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Billboard reported that as of 2023, she is the best-selling female Latin artist of all time. She is credited with opening the doors of the international market for other Latin artists. She has received numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, twelve Latin Grammy Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, thirty-nine Billboard Latin Music Awards, twenty-one Guinness World Records, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was named the Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade by Billboard twice (2000s and 2010s). For her philanthropic work with her Barefoot Foundation and her contributions to music she received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year awards in 2011. She was appointed to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the United States in 2011, and Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 2012.
Early life
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on 2 February 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is the only child of William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll Torrado. She is of Spanish and Lebanese descent. Her father William was born in New York City to a family from Lebanon. When he was five, his family moved to Colombia. Her mother’s side has two Spanish surnames, Ripoll and Torrado, the former of which is Catalan and originates from four brothers who immigrated from Catalonia to coastal Colombia in the 19th century. She has also stated that she has distant Italian roots through an ancestor with the surname “Pisciotti”. She was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools. She has eight older half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage. Shakira spent much of her youth in Barranquilla, a city located on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Shakira wrote her first poem, titled “La rosa de cristal” (‘The Crystal Rose’), when she was only four years old. As she was growing up, she was fascinated watching her father writing stories on a typewriter, and asked for one as a Christmas gift. She got that typewriter at age seven, and has continued writing poetry since then. These poems eventually evolved into songs. When Shakira was two years old, an older half-brother was killed in a motorcycle accident; six years later, at age eight, Shakira wrote her first song, titled “Tus gafas oscuras” (‘Your dark glasses’), which was inspired by her father, who for years wore dark glasses to hide his grief.
When Shakira was four, her father took her to a local Middle Eastern restaurant, where Shakira first heard the doumbek, a traditional drum used in Middle-Eastern music and which typically accompanied belly dancing. She started dancing on the table, and the experience made her realize that she wanted to be a performer. She enjoyed singing for schoolmates and teachers (and even the nuns) at her Catholic school, but in second grade, she was rejected for the school choir because her vibrato was too strong. The music teacher told her that she sounded “like a goat”. At school, she was often sent out of the class because of her hyperactivity. She says she had also been known as “the belly dancer girl”, as she would demonstrate every Friday at school a number she had learned. “That’s how I discovered my passion for live performance,” she says. To instill gratitude in Shakira for her upbringing, her father took her to a local park to see orphans who lived there. The images stayed with her, and she said to herself: “One day I’m going to help these kids when I become a famous artist.”
Between ages ten and thirteen, Shakira was invited to various events in Barranquilla and gained some recognition in the area. It was at this approximate time that she met local theater producer Monica Ariza, who was impressed with her and as a result tried to help her career. During a flight from Barranquilla to Bogotá, Ariza convinced Sony Colombia executive Ciro Vargas to hold an audition for Shakira in a hotel lobby. Vargas held Shakira in high regard and, returning to the Sony office, gave the cassette to a song and artist director. However, the director was not overly excited and thought Shakira was something of “a lost cause”. Undaunted and still convinced that Shakira had talent, Vargas set up an audition in Bogotá. He arranged for Sony Colombia executives to arrive at the audition, with the idea of surprising them with Shakira’s performance. She performed three songs for the executives and impressed them enough for her to be signed to record three albums.
Personal life
Shakira began a relationship with Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rúa in 2000. In a 2009 interview, Shakira stated their relationship already worked as a married couple, and that “they don’t need papers for that”.
After 10 years together, Shakira and de la Rúa separated in August 2010 in what she described as “a mutual decision to take time apart from our romantic relationship”. She wrote that the couple “view this period of separation as temporary”, with de la Rúa overseeing Shakira’s “business and career interests as he has always done”. As first reported in September 2012, de la Rúa sued Shakira in April 2013, asking for $100 million he believed he was owed after Shakira suddenly terminated her business partnership with him in October 2011. His lawsuit was dismissed by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge in August 2013.
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Shakira entered a relationship with the Spanish football player Gerard Piqué in 2011. Piqué, who is exactly ten years her junior, and Shakira met in spring 2010 after he appeared in the music video for Shakira’s song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Shakira gave birth to the couple’s first son, Milan, on 22 January 2013 in Barcelona, where the family took residence. Shakira gave birth to their second son, Sasha, on 29 January 2015. Forbes listed Shakira and Piqué in their list of “World’s Most Powerful Couples”. In June 2022, the couple confirmed in a joint statement that they were separating after being together for 11 years.
In 2020, Shakira announced her completion of an ancient philosophy course through the University of Pennsylvania, describing it as an impractical hobby of hers.
Shakira Age Boyfriend Husband Family Biography
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll |
| Nickname | Shaki |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Dancer, Philanthropist Entrepreneur |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 157 cm in meters- 1.57m in Feet Inches- 5’ 2” |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Brown (Dyed blonde) |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | February 2, 1977 |
| Age (as of 2023) | 46 Years |
| Birthplace | Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia |
| Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Hometown | Barranquilla |
| School | La Ensenanza School, Barranquilla. |
| College/University | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Educational Qualification | University drop-out |
| Debut | Latin -American Album: Magia (1991) English Album: Laundry Service Film – El Oasis (1996) |
| Family | Father– William Mebarak Chadid Mother– Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado Step-Brothers– Tonino Mebarak, Edward Mebarak, Robin Mebarak, Alberto Mebarak, Antonio Mebarak and Moises Mebarak Step-Sisters– Lucy Mebarak, Ana Mebarak and Patricia Mebarak |
| Children | Milan Piqué Mebarak |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Ethnicity | Italian, Spanish and Labenese |
| Inspirational Artists | John Lennon and Gloria Estefan |
| Fan Mail Address | Shakira Roc Nation 1411 Broadway 39th Floor New York, NY 10018-3410 USA |
| Hobbies | Skateboarding, Frisbee, Paint fried eggs and Watch horror movies, Learning History and Languages, Golf, Tennis, Basketball and Swimming |
| Favourites | |
| Color | Black |
| TV shows | Scrubs (2001-2010), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005) |
| Animal | Horse |
| Actor | Hugh Gran |
| Band | U2, The Police |
| Perfume | Issey Miyake Perfumes |
| Book | The Prophet (Khalil Gibran) |
| Writer | Oriana Fallaci |
| Food | Pancakes with Jam |
| Song | With or Without You (U2) |
| Boys, Affairs and More | |
| Marital Status | Separated |
| Affairs/Boyfriends | Antonio De La Rúa (2000-2011) Gerard Pique (2011-2022) Note: On June 4, 2022, Shakira and Gerard Pique confirmed that they were separating. A statement released by Shakira’s public relations firm read, For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.” Outlook |
| Husband/Spouse | N/A |
| Current Relationship Status | In a relationship with Gerard Piqué |
| Money Factor | |
| Net Worth | $220 million |
| House | Barcelona, Spain (USD 5.4 million) La Colarado Farmhouse ($700,000) The Star Island Home $3.4 million |
| Car | Mercedes CLS, Porsche Carrera, BMW X6, Audi A7, Rangerover, BMW X5 |
Career
Early Career:
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. She showed an interest in music from a young age and released her first album, “Magia,” when she was just 13 years old. However, her breakthrough came with her third album, “Pies Descalzos” (1995), which included the hit singles “Estoy Aquí” and “Dónde Estás Corazón.” The album’s success helped her establish a presence in the Latin music scene.
International Breakthrough:
Shakira’s fifth album, “Laundry Service” (2001), marked a turning point in her career. The album featured her crossover into the English-speaking market and included the chart-topping single “Whenever, Wherever.” The album’s fusion of rock, pop, and Latin sounds garnered her widespread attention and made her a global superstar.
Subsequent Albums and Hits:
Following “Laundry Service,” Shakira continued to release successful albums, each with a unique musical direction. Some of her notable albums include:
“Fijación Oral, Vol. 1” (2005) – A Spanish-language album that included the hit single “La Tortura.”
“Oral Fixation, Vol. 2” (2005) – The English-language counterpart to “Fijación Oral, Vol. 1,” featuring tracks like “Hips Don’t Lie” (featuring Wyclef Jean) and “Don’t Bother.”
“She Wolf” (2009) – An album that explored electronic and dance influences, featuring the title track “She Wolf.”
“Sale el Sol” (2010) – A return to Shakira’s Latin roots with singles like “Loca” and “Rabiosa.”
“Shakira.” (2014) – A self-titled album with diverse musical styles, including the hit single “Can’t Remember to Forget You” (featuring Rihanna).
World Cup and Super Bowl Performances:
Shakira’s performances at major events, such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show (alongside Jennifer Lopez), further solidified her status as a global entertainer.
Philanthropy and Activism:
In addition to her music career, Shakira has been actively involved in philanthropic work. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which supports education and nutrition for vulnerable children in Colombia. She has also been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has been recognized for her efforts to promote education and early childhood development.
Please note that my information is accurate up until September 2021, and there may have been further developments in Shakira’s career since then.
Artistry
On her music, Shakira has said that, “my music, I think, is a fusion of many different elements. And I’m always experimenting. So I try not to limit myself, or put myself in a category, or… be the architect of my own jail.” Shakira has frequently stated she is inspired by oriental music and Indian music, which influenced many of her earlier works. She has also been influenced by her Arab heritage, which was a major inspiration for her breakthrough world hit “Ojos Así”. She told Portuguese TV, “Many of my movements belong to Arab culture.” She also cites her parents as having been major contributors to her musical style. She is also strongly influenced by Andean music and South American folk music, using her native instrumentation for her Latin dance-pop songs.
Her earlier Spanish albums, including Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones? were a mix of folk music and Latin rock. Her cross-over English album, Laundry Service and later albums were influenced by pop rock and pop Latino. “Laundry Service” is primarily a pop rock album, but also draws influences from a variety of musical genres. The singer credited this to her mixed ethnicity, saying: “I am a fusion. That’s my persona. I’m a fusion between black and white, between pop and rock, between cultures – between my Lebanese father and my mother’s Spanish blood, the Colombian folklore and Arab dance I love and American music.”
The Arabian and Middle Eastern music elements that exerted a high influence on Dónde Están los Ladrones? are also present in Laundry Service, most prominently on “Eyes Like Yours”/”Ojos Así”. Musical styles from different South American countries surface on the album. Tango, a style of fast-paced ballroom dance that originated in Argentina, is evident on “Objection (Tango)”, which also combines elements of rock and roll. The uptempo track features a guitar solo and a bridge in which Shakira delivers rap-like vocals.
She Wolf is primarily an electropop album that combines influences from the musical styles of various countries and regions, like Africa, Colombia, India, and the Middle East. Shakira termed the album as a “sonic experimental trip”, and said that she researched folk music from different countries in order to “combine electronics with world sounds, tambourines, clarinets, oriental and Hindu music, dancehall, etc.” Her 2010 album, Sale el Sol, is a return to her beginnings containing ballads, rock songs, and Latin dance songs like “Loca”. In 2017, Deutsche Welle’s journalist Kate Müser commented on Shakira’s “globalized sound”: ” Latin beats, spiced with Middle Eastern and other world elements and made comfortably familiar by being churned through the pop machine, make you feel like a citizen of the world.”
Influences
As a child, Shakira was influenced by rock music, listening heavily to rock bands like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Nirvana, the Police and U2, while her other influences included Gloria Estefan, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Marc Anthony, Meredith Brooks, and the Cure. She cited Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence” as the song that first sparked her passion for pop music.
Dance
Shakira is well known for her dancing in her music videos and concerts. Her distinctive dancing style is said to combine Latin dancing with Middle Eastern belly dancing, which is derived from her Lebanese heritage, and her hip shaking is mentioned in songs, such as Fifth Harmony’s “Brave Honest Beautiful”. She is noted for usually employing minimal production, usually taking the stage with minimal makeup and natural hair, and without background dancers in her performances, preferring to focus on her vocals, dance moves, and stage presence. She often performs barefoot, a form of dance she learned as a young teen to overcome her shyness. She also mentioned in an MTV interview that she learned how to belly dance by trying to flip a coin with her belly.
Singing
Shakira is a contralto and is known for her “unique and mesmerizing” singing voice which includes her “trademark” yodeling. Analyzing Shakira’s cover of “Je l’aime à mourir”, vocal teacher Beth Roars also noted Shakira’s use of yodeling, explaining that there is “heaviness at the bottom of her tone” which “flips up” into “her head voice”, as well as her ability to execute “complex melisma”. She also noted Shakira’s use of “Arabic scales”, then stating that she uses “harmonic minor scales instead of pentatonic scales”.
Tax controversy
In November 2017, Shakira was named in the Paradise Papers. It was revealed that she was the sole shareholder of a Malta-based company which was being used to transfer $30 million in music rights. Her attorneys insisted that her use of the company was entirely legal.
In 2018, due at least in part to information revealed in the Paradise Papers, Spanish authorities began an investigation into Shakira’s finances. Prosecutors argued that she did not pay taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014, during which time she was living in Spain with Piqué and their family, while Shakira argued that she maintained her primary residence in the Bahamas during that period and otherwise was touring internationally. In July 2021, a Spanish judge ruled that there was “evidence of criminality” sufficient for Shakira to be brought to trial on charges of tax fraud.
In 2021, the Pandora Papers showed that Shakira submitted applications for three offshore companies in 2019. Her representatives told LaSexta that this paperwork was not filed for purposes of establishing new companies but as part of the process of dissolving existing companies. They further claimed that the companies had no income or activities and that Spanish authorities had been made aware of their existence.
In July 2022, after not reaching a deal with the Spanish Prosecution Ministry, the singer decided to go to trial to prove her innocence. The prosecutor asked the judge for an eight-year prison sentence over six alleged tax fraud crimes. On 27 September 2022, a Spanish judge from Esplugues de Llobregat approved the tax fraud trial after prosecutors accused her of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($13.9 million) in taxes. Shakira claims she has already paid all she owed plus 3 million euros ($2.8 million) as interest. A trial date was set for November 2023 after the presiding Barcelona judge, Ana Duro, received the necessary qualifying papers from both parties.
Discography
Main articles: Shakira discography and List of songs recorded by Shakira
- Magia (1991)
- Peligro (1993)
- Pies Descalzos (1995)
- Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998)
- Laundry Service (2001)
- Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005)
- Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005)
- She Wolf (2009)
- Sale el Sol (2010)
- Shakira (2014)
- El Dorado (2017)
Tours
See also: List of Shakira concerts and Shakira live performances
- Pies Descalzos International Tour (1996–1997)
- Tour Anfibio (2000)
- Tour of the Mongoose (2002–2003)
- Oral Fixation Tour (2006–2007)
- The Sun Comes Out World Tour (2010–2011)
- El Dorado World Tour (2018)
Filmography
Main article: Shakira videography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | El oasis | Luisa Maria Rico | |
| 2002 | Popstars Brazil | Mentor assistant | Season 1 |
| 2002 | Taina | Herself | Episode: “Abuelo Knows Best” |
| 2005 | 7 vidas | Episode: “Todo por las pastis” | |
| 2009 | Ugly Betty | Episode: “The Bahamas Triangle“ | |
| 2010 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Episode: “Dude Looks Like Shakira“ | |
| 2011 | Dora and Friends: Into the City | Episode: “Dora’s Explorer Girls: Our First Concert” | |
| 2013–2014 | The Voice | Coach/Mentor | Seasons 4 and 6 |
| 2014 | Dreamland | Herself | Episode: “3” |
| 2020 | Global Goal: Unite for Our Future | Television special | |
| 2020 | The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II | ||
| 2022 | Dancing With Myself | TV Show | |
| Zootopia+ | Gazelle (voice) | Episode: “So You Think You Can Prance ?”; archival recordings |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Shakira: The Documentary Film | Herself | Documentary |
| 2007 | Pies Descalzos Foundation | ||
| 2011 | Hagamos que Salga El Sol | ||
| A Day with Shakira | |||
| 2016 | Zootopia | Gazelle | Voice role |
| 2020 | Miss Americana | Herself | Documentary |
| 2022 | Jennifer Lopez: Halftime |
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