Shakira is a famous multi-talented artist from Colombia who is best known for her hit number “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, becoming the biggest-selling World Cup song of all time with 10 million downloads. She made her mark in the music industry with the release of her album “Pies Descalzos” in 1996. She first gained fame in Latin America in the late ’90s and that success propelled her to enter the English market with the release of her hit single, “Whenever, Wherever”, which went on to become one of the most successful singles of 2002. Some of her chart-topping albums are Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005), Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005), She Wolf (2009), Sale el Sol (2010), Shakira (2014), and El Dorado (2017). She made history by becoming the only Latina singer to get featured in MTV’s “The Most Influential Women in the History of Music” list in 2022. Throughout her singing career, she has earned several awards and nominations, including 3 Grammy Awards, and 14 Latin Grammy Awards, among others. So, who is Shakira? Here’s everything we know about the Latina singer.
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Shakira Biography
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is currently 47 years old.
| Birth Name | Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll |
| Nickname | Shaki |
| Date of Birth | 2 February 1977 |
| Place of Birth | Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Age | 47 years old |
| Sun Sign | Aquarius |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, Record Producer, Entrepreneur |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Ethnicity | Colombian, Lebanese, Spanish, and Italian |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Partner | Gerard Piqué |
| Children | 2 |
| Net Worth | $300 Million |
Family
- Father – William Mebarak Chadid
- Mother – Nidia Ripoll
- Siblings – She’s the only child.
Education
Shakira attended La Ensenanza School in Barranquilla and other Catholic schools.
Later, She got admission to UCLA, where she studied the History of Western Civilization course.
Shakira Personal Life
Shakira was in a relationship with Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rúa from 2000 until 2010. they broke apart in August 2010 citing a “mutual decision”.
She then started dating Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique in 2011. She is 10 years his senior. They have two sons, Milan Piqué Mebarak, born on January 22, 2013, and Sasha Pique Mebarak, born on January 29, 2015. The pair ended their relationship in 2022 after being together for 11 years.
Physical Statistics
| Height | Feet – 5 feet 2 inches Centimeters – 157 cm Meters – 1.57 m |
| Weight | Kilograms – 53 kg Pounds – 117 lbs |
| Body Build | Slim |
| Body Measurements | 34-24-37 |
| Body Shape | Pear |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Shoe Size | 7 (US) |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Distinctive Features | Dancing hips Dance moves Wavy blonde hair Distinctive singing voice Short petite frame |
Professional Statistics
Singing Debut
Shakira released her debut album, “Magia”, on June 24, 1991, via Sony Music Colombia. She was just 13 years old during the release of the album, and it included songs she had written since she was eight. It failed commercially. Even her second album “Peligro” didn’t do well.
Her big break came in 1995 with the release of her third Latin album, “Pies Descalzos”. The album was well-received by the listeners, debuting at number one in eight different countries. In the USA, it debuted at #180 on the U.S. Billboard 200 while it managed to reach number five on the U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. The album spawned six hit singles and soon after the release of the album, she went on the Tour Pies Descalzos to promote her album.
Shakira has released eleven studio albums to date –
- 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)
Genre
Pop, Latin pop, folk, rock en español, dance, world
Instruments
Vocals, percussion, guitar, drums, harmonica
Label
Columbia, Epic, Live Nation, RCA Records, Sony Music Latin
Film Debut
In 2012, Shakira appeared as herself in a documentary film titled “Shakira: The Documentary Film”.
Television Debut
She made her small screen debut with the television film “El Oasis” in 1996, in which she played the role of Luisa Maria.
Famous For
Shakira catapulted to fame in English-speaking countries with her fifth album, “Laundry Service”. The album spawned hit single ‘Whenever, Wherever’, which went on to become one of the most popular singles of all time and had sold 3.5 million copies in the USA. This album is her best-selling album to date with a worldwide sale in excess of 20 million copies, yielding her over $4 million.
She is best known for her dancing moves and belly dancing.
Her signature single ‘Hips Don’s Lie’ from the album “Oral Fixation, Vol. 2” is still considered to be one of her best works to date. It peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and also reached the No. 1 spot in 55 other countries.
Shakira’s most popular work, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)”, is the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the biggest-selling World Cup song of all time with 10 million downloads and 1.6 billion views on YouTube.
Brand Endorsements
She has endorsed brands like Reebok, Panasonic, Crest, Oral B, etc.
Favorite Things
- Song – With or Without You (U2)
- TV Programs – Scrubs (2001-2010), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005)
- Food – Pancakes
- Band – U2, The Police, Soda Stereo
- Music Type – Merengue
- Actor – Hugh Grant
- Color – Black
- Sport – Skateboarding and Frisbee
- Author – Oriana Fallaci
- Book – “The Prophet” by Khalil Gibran
- Perfume – Issey Miyake Perfume
- Sweets – Chocolate balls
- Fruit – Mango
- Flowers – Daisy and Sunflower
- Animal – Horse
Shakira Net Worth
As of 2024, Shakira has a net worth of $300 million, earned from record sales, concert tours, endorsements, and other business activities. She splits her time between her luxurious houses in Barcelona, Spain, and Miami, Florida. She also owns several houses in the Bahamas, Barranquilla, Colombia.
Shakira Facts
She is fluent in Spanish (her native language) English and Portuguese and speaks some Italian, Arabic, and French.
She began belly dancing in school.
Shakira has sold over 60 million records worldwide throughout her music career.
She has won numerous awards including two Grammys, eight Latin Grammys, and several World Music Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos (Barefoot) Foundation when she was 18 years old, which aims to provide education and nutrition to underprivileged children in Colombia and other poor countries.
She was ranked #76 on FHM’s “100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005” list.
She was ranked #38 on Maxim’s Hot 100 Women of 2007 list.
In October 2011, Shakira was named a member of President Obama’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
Shakira served as a coach on the 4th and 6th seasons of NBC’s hit reality series, “The Voice”.
She has three dogs: Coquito, Chan, and Gordita.
She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6270 Hollywood Blvd.
In 2010, she launched her own range of beauty products called S by Shakira.
She was featured at #18 in Men’s Health magazine’s “100 Hottest Women of All Time” in 2011.
In 2011, Shakira was honored at the Latin Grammys as 2011’s Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.
In 2014, Shakira became the first musical act to perform three times at the FIFA World Cup.
Shakira usually releases her songs in both English and Spanish.
In 2017, she was the only artist listed as one of the world’s greatest leaders by Fortune, ranked 27th.
In 2022, she appeared as herself in the documentary titled Jennifer Lopez: Halftime.
In 2022, Shakira joined Dancing with Myself, an NBC dance competition series, as a creator alongside Liza Koshy and Nick Jonas, She also served as an executive producer.
Shakira has collaborated with several artists on their songs, including Karol G’s single “TQG”. It was credited as her highest debuting single on the Hot 100, at number 7, whilst also debuting at number 1 on the Billboard Global 200.