Story
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977), commonly known simply as Shakira, is a multi-talented Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer and philanthropist who has made a name for herself in the music industry. Her albums Pies Descalzos (1995) and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998) catapulted her to stardom in the Latin music scene, and her fifth album Laundry Service (2001) brought her to international attention.
With her signature blend of Latin, Arabic and rock music, Shakira has been hailed as the Queen of Latin Music. Her hit singles Wherever, Wherever and Underneath Your Clothes showcased her unique style and established her as one of the world’s top crossover artists. Her music has resonated with millions of fans worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 80 million records sold.
In addition to her remarkable music career, Shakira is also actively involved in humanitarian work. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has worked tirelessly to promote education and health for disadvantaged children around the world. Her charitable work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum and the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Award.
Shakira’s talent, charisma, and dedication to positively impacting the world have earned her countless awards, including three Grammys, twelve Latin Grammys, and four MTV Video Music Awards. She continues to inspire and influence the music industry and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Colombian singer
Shakira |
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 Shakira: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| First and last name: | Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll |
| Stage Name: | Shakira |
| Born: | February 2, 1977 (age 47) |
| Place of birth: | Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Nationality: | Colombia, Spain |
| Height: | 1.57 minutes |
| Parents: | William Mebarak Chadid, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado |
| Siblings: | Patricia Mebarak, Lucy Mebarak, Ana Mebarak, Antonio Mebarak, Tonino Mebarak, Alberto Mebarak, Moises Mebarak, Edward Mebarak, Robin Mebarak |
| Couple: | Not married |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Antonio De la Rua (2001-2010), Gerard Piqué (2011-2022) |
| Children: | Sasha Piqué Mebarak, Milan Piqué Mebarak |
| Job: | Singer • Dancer |
| Net asset value: | $350 million |
Early life and education
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in the vibrant coastal city of Barranquilla, Colombia, where the streets were filled with the sounds of music and laughter. Her father, William Mebarak Chadid, was a Lebanese man from bustling New York City, while her mother, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, came from a Catalan family that had immigrated to Colombia in the 1800s.
Although she was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools, she also claims Italian ancestry, which contributes to her diverse cultural heritage. She has eight half-siblings, making for a fairly large family.
Shakira has three older sisters: Patricia Mebarak, Lucy Mebarak and Ana Mebarak, and six older brothers: Antonio Mebarak, Tonino Mebarak, Alberto Mebarak, Moises Mebarak, Edward Mebarak and Robin Mebarak. Her love of writing began at the age of four when she wrote her first poem and asked for a typewriter as a Christmas present, inspired by her father’s stories.
At the age of two, Shakira witnessed a tragedy when her half-brother died in a motorbike accident. This early experience with loss and grief inspired her later artistic creations. At the age of eight, she wrote her first song, Tus gafas oscuras, dedicated to her father as he struggled with the loss of his son.
Shakira was a naturally curious child. At the age of four, she was fascinated by the sound of a doumbek, a percussion instrument, that she heard at a Middle Eastern restaurant, sparking her desire to become a performer. However, her hyperactivity often got her kicked out of class, and her strong vibrato made it difficult for her to participate in the school choir.
Despite these early challenges, Shakira’s love of music and songwriting continued to grow, and by the age of seven she had acquired a typewriter, which she used to write poetry and songs. Her early passion for creativity eventually led 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 fans breathless. In the early 2000s, the Hips Don’t Lie singer began a relationship with the suave Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rúa.
Although the couple never officially married, they referred to each other as husband and wife, and their relationship lasted an impressive ten years. However, in 2010, Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa decided to take a break from their relationship, hoping to find new inspiration and clarity in their lives.
Unfortunately, their separation proved to be longer than either of them anticipated, and in 2013, Antonio de la Rúa sued Shakira for $100 million. The legal battle was tense and exhausting, but ultimately, a judge dismissed Shakira’s case, putting an end to their tumultuous relationship.
Not long after, Shakira found love again, this time with the charming Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué. Their first meeting was on the set of the music video for her song Waka (This Time for Africa), the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Gerard Piqué and Shakira quickly became attached, and in 2013, they welcomed their first son, Milan Piqué Mebarak. Two years later, the couple’s family grew even larger when they had their second son, Sasha Piqué Mebarak.
Due to their combined influence and status, Forbes even named the couple one of the The most powerful couples in the worldHowever, all good things must come to an end, and in 2022, Shakira and Gerard Piqué announced their separation after 11 years together.
Career
When Shakira was 13, she recorded her debut album, Magia, with Sony Music Colombia. The album featured a collection of pop-rock ballads, upbeat disco songs, and electronic accompaniments that she had been writing herself since she was eight years old.
Although Magia was well received on Colombian radio, it was not a commercial success, selling only 1,200 copies worldwide. However, Sony Music still believed in her potential and invited her to perform at the prestigious Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile in February 1993.
It was not until 1995, following the success of the single ¿Dónde Estás Corazón?, that Shakira had the opportunity to finally record her third studio album, Pies Descalzos, through Sony Music and Columbia Records. The album reached the Top 5 on the US Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and marked her international debut.
Shakira’s first two studio albums were considered commercial failures due to her refusal to promote them, and after the release of Peligro in March, she took a hiatus so she could finish her high school education. Singles from Nuestro Rock and other promotional albums were omitted from the release and are not considered her official albums.
In August 1996, Pies Descalzos was certified platinum by the RIAA and spawned six hit singles, all of which charted on the US Latin charts. She was awarded three Billboard Latin Music Awards that year and embarked on a 20-show international tour. The album sold over 5 million copies worldwide and spurred the release of The Remixes, which featured Portuguese versions of her songs.
In 1998, Shakira released her next studio album, Dónde Están los Ladrones?, which became an even bigger hit than her previous album, selling over 7 million copies worldwide and earning a Grammy nomination. The following year, she recorded her first live album, MTV Unplugged, which was critically acclaimed.
In 2000, she had a series of successes, including performing Ojos Así at the Latin Grammy Awards, winning an MTV Video Music Award, and embarking on the two-month Anfibio Tour. To expand her reach, she created an English 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 Whatever, Wherever), was released in 2001 and quickly became a major international hit thanks to its unique combination of Andean music and instruments such as the charango and panpipe.
Shakira’s fifth studio album, titled Laundry Service in English-speaking countries and Servicio De Lavanderia in Latin America and Spain, was released on November 13, 2001. The album debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold over 200,000 copies in its first week. The album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA and helped establish her music career in North America.
Despite criticism that Shakira’s English skills were not good enough and her lyrics were full of clichés, Laundry Service became popular and was the best-selling album of 2002, becoming the most successful album of her career and selling over 13 million copies worldwide.
Net asset value
Shakira’s estimated net worth is around $350 million. She has amassed her fortune primarily through her successful music career, business ventures, and endorsement deals.
Her albums were a worldwide success, selling millions of copies worldwide. In addition, Shakira also earned money from television appearances.
Social Media
- Instagram Name: @Shakira
- Twitter Username: @Shakira
Discography
- Waka Waka
- No lie
- Song
- The Felicita
- Monotony
- Do not worry
- Everytime everywhere
- Try everything
- Miss Wolf
- Location
- Bicycle
- Girl like me
- Addicted to you
- Pedro Field
- Ojos Asia
- Antology (Terminology)
- La la la la
- Watercress
- Never mind
- Secret
- Deja Vu
- Objection
Filming
- Oasis
- Brazilian Pop Star
- Taina
- 7 Lives
- Ugly Betty
- Wizards of Waverly Place
- Dora and Friends: Into the City
- Voice
- Dreamland
- Global Goals: Unite for our future
- Dance alone
