Biography
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977), commonly known as Shakira, is a multi-talented Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist who has carved a special place 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 the attention of the international audience.
With her signature blend of Latin, Arabic, and rock music, Shakira is celebrated as the Queen of Latin Music. Her hit singles Whenever, Wherever and Underneath Your Clothes showcased her unique style and helped her become one of the leading crossover artists in the world. Her music has resonated with millions of fans worldwide, earning her the distinction of being one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 80 million records sold.
In addition to her remarkable musical career, Shakira has been actively involved in humanitarian work. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has worked tirelessly to promote education and health for underprivileged children worldwide. Her philanthropic 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 numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards, twelve Latin Grammy Awards, and four MTV Video Music Awards. She continues to inspire and influence the music industry and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the world.
| Shakira: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photo | |
| Full Name: | Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll |
| Stage Name: | Shakira |
| Born: | 2 February 1977 (age 46 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Nationality: | Colombian, Spanish |
| Height: | 1.57 m |
| 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 |
| Spouse: | Not Married |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Antonio De la Rua (2001-2010), Gerard Piqué (2011-2022) |
| Children: | Sasha Piqué Mebarak, Milan Piqué Mebarak |
| Occupation: | Singer • Dancer |
| Net Worth: | $350 million |
Early Life & 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 man of Lebanese descent who hailed from the bustling metropolis of New York City, while her mother, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, came from a family of Catalan origin who had emigrated to Colombia in the 1800s.
Although she was raised as a Catholic and attended Catholic schools, she also claims to have Italian roots, which adds to her diverse cultural heritage. She has eight older half-siblings, which is quite a large family.
Shakira has three sisters: Patricia Mebarak, Lucy Mebarak, and Ana Mebarak, including six brothers: Antonio Mebarak, Tonino Mebarak, Alberto Mebarak, Moises Mebarak, Edward Mebarak, and Robin Mebarak. Her love for writing began at age four when she wrote her first poem and asked for a typewriter as a Christmas gift, inspired by her father’s stories.
When she was only two years old, Shakira witnessed a tragedy when her older half-brother passed away in a motorcycle accident. This early experience with loss and grief would inspire her artistic creations later in life. At age eight, she wrote her first song, Tus gafas oscuras, written for her father as he struggled with losing his son.
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 kept her fans on the edge of their seats. In the early 2000s, the Hips Don’t Lie singer began a relationship with the suave Argentinian lawyer Antonio de la Rúa.
While the pair were never formally married, they referred to each other as husband and wife, and their partnership 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 time apart proved to be more permanent than either had anticipated, and in 2013, Antonio de la Rúa sued Shakira for a whopping $100 million. The legal battle was intense and grueling, but in the end, a judge dismissed Shakira‘s lawsuit, ending the messy affair.
Not long after, Shakira found love again, this time with the charming Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué. Their first encounter was on the set of the music video for her song Waka (This Time for Africa), which was the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Gerard Piqué and Shakira quickly became inseparable, and in 2013, they welcomed their first son, Milan Piqué Mebarak. Two years later, the couple’s family grew even bigger when they had their second son, Sasha Piqué Mebarak.
Thanks to their combined influence and status, Forbes even named the couple one of the World’s Most Powerful Couples. However, all good things must end, and in 2022, Shakira and Gerard Piqué announced that they were separating after eleven years of togetherness.
Career
When Shakira was 13 years old, she recorded her debut album, Magia, with Sony Music Colombia. This album showcased a collection of pop-rock ballads, uptempo disco songs, and electronic accompaniment that she had written herself since she was only eight years old.
Although Magia was well-received on Colombian radio, it did not enjoy commercial success, selling only 1,200 copies worldwide. Nevertheless, 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 wasn’t until 1995, after the success of her single ¿Dónde Estás Corazón? that Shakira was given one last chance to record her third studio album, Pies Descalzos, by Sony Music and Columbia Records. This album hit the Top 5 in the U.S. 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 advertise them, and after the release of Peligro in March, she took a hiatus so she could complete her high school education. The singles from Nuestro Rock and other promotional albums were pulled from release and not considered 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.
Shakira‘s fifth studio album, titled Laundry Service in English-speaking countries and Servicio De Lavanderia in Latin America and Spain, was released on 13 November 2001. It debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and sold over 200,000 copies in its first week. The record was certified triple platinum by the RIAA and helped her establish her musical career in mainstream North America.
Despite critics claiming that Shakira‘s English skills were insufficient and her lyrics were filled with cliches, Laundry Service became popular and 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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