She is 42 years old and has everything that most people dream of – a good-looking and gifted husband, two charming kids, and remarkable accomplishments in her profession.
Shakira, a Colombian-American singer, was born in Barranquilla, Colombia to a Colombian mother and an American father. She began writing music at the tender age of 8 and composed impressive songs such as “Your Dark Glasses” about her father’s pain after losing a child in a car accident. Shakira started playing the guitar when she was 11 and soon became known as a musical prodigy. As a young girl between the ages of 10 to 13, Shakira attended several big events in her hometown and won the hearts of many people there. It was during this time that she met producer Monica Ariza who helped her become the youngest artist to be signed by Sony Colombia. In 1991, at the age of 15, Shakira released her debut album called “Magic”. She followed it up with another album in 1993 titled “Danger”, but unfortunately, due to poor sales, these two albums are no longer recognized as her first studio albums.
Between 1995 and 2000, Shakira experienced great success in Latin America and Spain. During this time, she recorded her third album, Pies Descalzos (Bare Feet) which helped her gain popularity in the region. The album featured hit songs such as Estoy AquÃ, Pies Descalzos, Suenos Blancos, Dónde Estás Corazón? and Un Poco de Amor, and sold over 7 million records worldwide. In 1997, Shakira won three Billboard Music Awards, solidifying her position as an artist with immense potential for international success. Her fourth album, entitled ¿Dónde Están los Ladrones? (Where are the thieves?), was produced in 1998 at a cost of 3 million USD but generated more than double the investment with over 10 million discs sold. This album has been recognized as the best-selling Latin album of all time, cementing Shakira’s position as a musical force to be reckoned with. After being nominated but not winning a Grammy, Shakira decided to perform her first live show. By 2001, she had surpassed other notable artists such as Christina Aguilera, Oscar de la Hoya, and Luis Miguel to win the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album, along with two Latin Grammy awards. These achievements reflected Shakira’s talent and hard work, and catapulted her to international stardom.
Global Success (2005-2007) Shakira’s album Fijación Oral Vol. 1 was a hit in Europe, North America, and Australia, resulting in her second Grammy win and five Latin Grammy awards, including four significant categories such as Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Album Voice. This unexpected success came as a surprise to both fans and veteran artists as Shakira surpassed globally renowned musicians like Gwen Stefani. Moreover, Hips Don’t Lie, a song from her second English album, Oral Fixation Vol. 2, became one of the most popular songs of all time by breaking the Guinness record. It secured the top position on music charts for six consecutive months, with Mariah Carey’s We Belong Together claiming second place. Accompanied by this triumph, the single sold more than 13 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles ever and the most favored song of 2006. World Cup 2010 in South Africa: The Pinnacle Period.
Shakira teamed up with Freshlyground band to release the popular song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” which became a huge hit and was chosen as the official song for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by FIFA. It ranked fourth among the most viewed music videos across various charts worldwide. Following a four-year hiatus from the music industry, Shakira came back with her tenth studio album, which featured one of the songs chosen for the 2014 World Cup called “Dare (La La La)”. In early 2015, she collaborated with the Mexican band Mana to release “Mi Verdad”, which became a chart-topper on both the Billboard Latin Songs and Billboard Latin Pop Songs charts.
Shakira’s good fortune extends beyond her successful career and spills over into her love life. Following the end of her relationship with Antonio de la Rúa, the son of Argentine President, in early 2011, Shakira crossed paths with the young midfielder Gerard Piqué of FC Barcelona who she fell deeply in love with. The couple’s love resulted in two beautiful boys, Milan and Shasa. Shakira has amassed an impressive collection of awards and recognitions to date. With 2 Grammy Awards out of 5 nominations, 7 Latin Grammy Awards, 4 MTV Video Music Awards, 1 Golden Globe Award nomination and 17 Premios Lo Nuestro Awards, Shakira has made a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She is also the first Colombian artist to have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her music has sold over 50 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists in the world.
