How old are Shakira's children? Shakira: biography, personal life

Popular latin singer, dancer, music producer.

Biography of Shakira / Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll(Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her father is Lebanese William Mebarak, and her mother is Colombian Nydia Ripoll. The girl was youngest child, which made her everyone's favorite. Shakira was her mother's first child and her father's eighth child.

Shakira's family was very wealthy: his father was a writer and owned a large jewelry store. The future singer began to show interest in music and literature early. Already at 18 months she knew the alphabet, at three years old she learned to read and write, and at four she began to compose poetry.

The name Shakira means “woman full of grace and grace” in Arabic and “goddess of light” in Hindi.

At first, Shakira’s parents believed that their daughter would become a poet or artist, then they predicted a future for her as a dancer, and already at the age of 8 they saw a singer in her. Soon the girl began performing with oriental dances and won the “Long Live the Children!” talent competition. Since then, she has always participated in all such events in Barranquilla and, as a rule, won.

The creative path of Shakira / Shakira

Shakira recorded her first album at the age of 13. She always gravitated more towards rock, but the producers felt that as a pop singer the girl would be more in demand. The record, however, was not particularly successful, as was the second album, entitled “ Peligro"("Danger"). Record company Sony Discos, which originally signed the singer to a three-disc contract, gave her last chance. Shakira demanded non-interference from producers in her work and recorded “ Pies descalzos, suenos blancos"("Bare Feet, High Dreams"), released in 1996. This album became a real breakthrough not only in Colombia, but throughout the continent. The songs were a mixture of pop rock and Latin rhythms.

Disk "¿ Donde Están Los Ladrones? (“Where are the Thieves?”), released in 1998, consolidated Shakira’s success. For the songs " Ojos Asi" And " Octavo Dia"The singer receives Grammy awards. Then the girl decides to expand her popularity beyond Spanish-speaking countries. In 2001, a completely English-language album was released. Laundry Service", and the singer dyes her hair a lighter tone. Thanks to the hit " Whenever, Wherever“Shakira was recognized all over the world. In 2005, her next studio album was released in Spanish “ Fijacion Oral Vol.1", and in November of the same year - " Oral Fixation Vol. 2" in English.

As part of the world tour in support of these discs, Shakira gave 150 concerts in 100 cities in 37 countries. Total number spectators exceeded 2,300,000 people.

In 2009, after a long silence, he came out new album Shakira called " She Wolf", and in 2010 she recorded the song " Waka Waka"(“This Time For Africa & Esto Es Africa”) for the World Cup.

In 1997, the singer founded the charity Fundación Pies Descalzos (Bare Feet Foundation), which raises funds to sponsor schools for low-income children in Colombia and other Latin American countries. Shakira is also the youngest UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Personal life of Shakira / Shakira

In 2000, the singer began dating Antonio de la Rua, son of the President of Argentina. Soon information appeared about the upcoming wedding, but in September 2001 Shakira denied this information as an unreliable rumor. According to the singer, she likes being an “eternal bride” more than a wife. At the beginning of 2010, Shakira and Antonio broke up.

In the spring of 2010, while filming a video for the song Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which became the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Shakira met Gerard Pique, a center back from FC Barcelona and the national football team.

A year later, in 2011, Shakira officially confirmed her relationship with the football player, publishing in her official accounts in in social networks a touching photo with Gerard, which she captioned: “I present to you my sunshine.”

In January 2013, Shakira and Pique had a son in Barcelona. Milan Pique Mebarak. On January 29, 2015, also in Barcelona, star couple a second son was born, whom they named Sasha. However, the singer and the famous football player never registered their relationship, and in October 2017 it became known that Shakira and Pique broke up.

Information then appeared in the press that the singer and the football player had quarreled due to jealousy: supposedly Gerard was extremely dissatisfied after his girlfriend filmed together with singer Nick Jam. Almost immediately it became clear that Shakira bought herself in Barcelona new house, where she moved with her sons, but without Pique. However, the singer's agent denied this information. Soon, Shakira posted a video on Twitter in which she sang about love, and Gerard posted a video from a rehearsal taking place in preparation for Shakira’s solo tour.

The singer and football player regularly share touching photos of each other on their social networks, which only confirms the family status of their relationship.

Discography of Shakira / Shakira

Magic (1991)
Peligro (1993)
Pies Descalzos (1995)
Donde 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)

Filmography of Shakira / Shakira

1996 El oasis
2001-2009 Saturday Night Live
2002 Taina
2009 Ugly (cameo)
2013 Voice

Shakira is a world-famous Colombian singer, model and dancer. Despite her Colombian origin, she has achieved great recognition throughout the world. Shakira started singing and dancing while still in school; her first studio albums appeared in the early nineties, but they were not commercially successful. At that time, Shakira was able to gain fame only in Latin America.

In the English-language music segment, only the singer’s fifth album, “Laundry Service,” was noticed. From this album, the song “Whenever, Wherever” gained enormous popularity - it became the best-selling song in 2002. From that moment on, the singer’s musical career took off at a rapid pace. As of 2018, Shakira has five prestigious MTV Video Music Awards and two even more prestigious Grammy awards. Except musical activity Shakira is involved in charity work; Forbes included the singer in the top 100 in 2013 and 2014. influential women peace.

We have prepared a small dossier from which you can find out Shakira’s height and weight, what the singer’s body measurements are, as well as some others Interesting Facts about the personality of the star. Wikipedia and almost ten other sources were used in preparing the material. The collection of star profiles is expanding - we invite you to find out the height and weight of Ariana Grande or the height and weight of the singer Pink. If you find an inaccuracy, write about it in the comments.

What is Shakira's real name?

Shakira's real name (full name) is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. Last name and first name in native language (Spanish) - Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll.

When was Shakira born?

What age is Shakira

At the time of writing (spring 2018), Shakira’s age is 41 years old.

What is Shakira's zodiac sign?

Shakira's zodiac sign is Aquarius. Born in the year of the Red Fire Snake according to the eastern horoscope.

Where was Shakira born?

Shakira was born in Colombia, Barranquilla.

How tall is Shakira?

Shakira's height is 5 feet 2 inches, which in the usual metric system is 156.5 cm. Singer Shakira's height is a rather debated "thing". Some sources claim that Shakira's height is only 150 centimeters, but this information is unreliable.

What is Shakira's weight?

Shakira weighs 108 pounds, which is approximately 49 kg. Data from 2018. Shakira says the following about her weight: “With my height, I cannot afford to weigh more than 50 kilograms. Luckily, almost all my performances are accompanied by dancing, which means I don’t have to think about calories. But at the same time, I still try to stick to proper nutrition.”

What color is Shakira's eyes?

Shakira's eye color is dark brown.

What is Shakira's real hair color?

Shakira's real (natural) hair color is dark. The singer cannot now be seen with her real hair color - for the last few years she has appeared before viewers as a blonde with curly hair.

What is Shakira's color type?

Shakira's color type is Deep Winter (Dark Winter).

What are Shakira's body measurements?

Shakira's body measurements: 87-62-94 (chest-waist-hips). Clothing size US - 4, EU - 34. Data from 2018. During pregnancy, the singer gained some weight - her weight was about 57 kilograms, which was reflected primarily in her waist and hips. But now Shakira’s figure parameters correspond to those indicated slightly above.

What is Shakira's foot size?

Shakira's foot size according to American standards is 7. In our usual value, it is approximately 36.5 shoe size.

What is Shakira's breast size?

Shakira's breast size is 2nd. Bra size 87B, cup size B.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (Spanish: Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll). Born February 2, 1977. Known as Shakira or Shakira, she is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, choreographer and model.

Widely recognized as the most successful Latin American artist, achieving success in both the Spanish-language and English-language music markets by the early 2000s.

The singer's name translated from Arabic (Arabic: شاكِرة‎‎ šākira) means “grateful”, and in Hindi it means “goddess of light”.

Born and raised in Barranquilla. She began performing while still in school, showing interest in Latin American, Arabic and rock and roll music, as well as an ability to belly dance.

Shakira released her first studio albums Magia and Peligro in the early 1990s, but did not achieve commercial success; However, her fame increased in Latin America with her major label debut Pies Descalzos (1996) and her fourth album Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998).

Shakira entered the English-language market with her fifth album, Laundry Service (2001). Its lead single, "Whenever, Wherever", became the best-selling single of 2002.

Her success was confirmed by her sixth and seventh albums Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005), the latter released the best-selling song of the 21st century, Hips Don’t Lie.

The eighth and ninth albums She Wolf (2009) and Sale el Sol (2010) received critical acclaim, but were not promoted due to tensions with Epic Records.

Her official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), became the best-selling World Cup song of all time. With over 629 million views, its music video became the eighth most viewed video on YouTube.

Since 2013, Shakira has been a judge on the American version of The Voice for seasons four and six. The release of her tenth album Shakira (2014) was preceded by the lead single "Can't Remember to Forget You".

Shakira has won many awards, including five MTV Video Music Awards, two Grammys, eight Latin Grammys, seven Billboard Music Awards, twenty-eight Billboard Latin Music Awards and a Golden Globe nomination.

Shakira has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with sales of over 70 million albums (other sources say over 60 million records) worldwide.

In addition to her work in the music industry, Shakira is involved in philanthropy through charitable activities and benefits, especially through her Pies Descalzos Foundation, speaking at the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI), a project of former American President Bill Clinton.

Shakira was listed by Forbes as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world in 2013 and 2014.

Shakira was born on February 2, 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is the only child of Nydia Ripoll and William Mebarak Shadid. I learned to read and write very early.

On her father's side, her ancestors emigrated from Lebanon to New York, where her father was born. On her mother's side, Nydia Ripoll, she has Spanish (Catalan and Castilian) and Italian roots.

Shakira has eight older half-siblings from her father's previous marriage.

Shakira spent almost her entire youth in Barranquilla, a city located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. She wrote her first poem, "La Rosa De Cristal" ("The Crystal Rose"), when she was four years old.

As she grew older, she was impressed by the way her father wrote stories on a typewriter and asked for one for Christmas. She got a typewriter at age seven and continued to write poetry. As a result, these poems formed the basis of her songs. When Shakira was 2, her older half-brother died in a motorcycle accident, and at eight, Shakira wrote her first song, “Tus gafas oscuras” (“Your Dark Glasses”), dedicating it to her father, who wore dark glasses for years to hide his grief.

When Shakira was four, her father took her to a Mediterranean restaurant, where Shakira first heard about the doumbek, an ethnic drum used in Arabic music and commonly used for belly dancing. She started dancing on the table, and this made her realize that she wanted to perform on stage.

She enjoyed singing for classmates and teachers (and even nuns) at Catholic school, but in second grade she dropped out of the school choir because her vibrato was too strong. Her music teacher told her she howled “like a goat.”

At school she met a “belly dancer” who gave her lessons every Friday at school. "That's how I discovered my passion for performing on stage," she said. To make Shakira grateful for her upbringing, her father took her to a local park to show her how orphans live. This picture remained in her memory forever, and then she said to herself “one day I will help these children when I become a famous artist.”

Between the ages of ten and thirteen, Shakira was invited to various events in Barranquilla, earning her some recognition in the field. It was during this time that she met a local theater producer, Monica Ariza, who was impressed with her and ended up helping her further her career. On a flight from Barranquilla to Bogota, Ariza convinced Sony Colombia's executive producer, Ciro Vargas, to audition Shakira in the hotel lobby. Shakira earned high respect from Vargas, who returned to the Sony offices and gave the tape to the artistic director. However, he was not particularly happy and thought that Shakira was a "lost cause." This did not stop Vargas, he was still convinced that Shakira had talent and held an audition in Bogota. He arranged for Sony Colombia executives to come to the audition to surprise them with Shakira's performance. She performed three songs and they were impressed enough to sign her to a contract.

Shakira's debut album Magia was recorded with Sony Music Colombia in 1990, when she was 13 years old.

It was a collection she made at the age of 8 - a mixture of pop-rock with ballads and disco songs with electronic accompaniment. It was not promoted due to the lack of unity in recording and production. The album was released in June 1991 with three more singles. Although it was well received on Colombian radio and brought fame to the young Shakira, the album failed commercially, selling 1,200 copies worldwide.

After the weak appearance of Magia, Shakira's label convinced her to return to the studio to release another record. Despite little fame outside of her native Colombia, Shakira was invited to perform at the Chilean Song Festival in February 1993. The festival provided a chance for Latin American singers to perform their songs, and the winner was chosen by judges. Shakira performed the ballad “Eres” (“You”) and won third place. One of the judges who voted for her was then 20-year-old Ricky Martin.

Peligro's second studio album was released in March, but Shakira did not like the end result, mainly due to disagreements with the production. The album was better received than Magia, although it also failed commercially due to Shakira's refusal to promote it. Then Shakira decided to take a break to finish high school. The same year, Shakira starred in leading role in the series "The Oasis", based on real events after the Nevado del Ruiz Tragedy in 1985.

The albums have since been withdrawn from release and are not considered official Shakira albums, but rather promotional albums. Shakira first wrote the song “¿Dónde Estás Corazón?” (later released on the album Pies Descalzos) for the compilation Nuestro Rock in 1995, released exclusively in Colombia.

Album Pies Descalzos brought her enormous popularity in Latin America with the hits "Estoy Aquí," "Pies Descalzos, Sueños Blancos" and "Dónde Estás Corazón." Shakira also recorded three tracks in Portuguese, “Estou Aqui”, “Um Pouco de Amor” and “Pés Descalços”.

Shakira returned to recording music under the Sony Music label with Columbia in 1995.

Recording for the album began in February 1995 following the success of the single. “¿Dónde Estás Corazón?”. Sony gave Shakira $100,000 to make the album because they believed the album would sell no more than 100,000 copies. From this album, Shakira began to create her own music, improving her vocals, and most of all, practicing a creative approach to her music. Largely influenced by the American alternative market and British bands such as The Pretenders, the songs on the album are melodic, musically stunning and sustained, with words of wisdom and an electronic/acoustic fusion that essentially redefined Latin music with a confident sound that had never been created before.

The album Pies Descalzos was released in February 1996, it debuted at number one in eight various countries. However, it only reached number one hundred eighty in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, but fifth in the U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums. The album spawned six hits: "Estoy Aquí", which reached number two in the US Latin American chart, "¿Dónde Estás Corazón?", which reached number five in the US Latin American chart, "Pies Descalzos, Sueños Blancos", which reached US number eleven on the Latin chart, "Un Poco de Amor", which peaked at number six on the US Latin chart, "Antología", which peaked at number fifteen on the US Latin chart. Latin Pop Songs and "Se quiere, Se Mata", which peaked at number six on the US Latin chart.

In August 1996, the RIAA certified the album Platinum.

In March 1996, Shakira embarked on her first international tour, Tour Pies Descalzos. The tour consisted of 20 shows and ended in 1997. That same year, Shakira won the Billboard Latin Music Awards for Album of the Year for Pies Descalzos, Video of the Year for Estoy Aqui and Best New Artist. Pies Descalzos later sold 5 million copies, prompting the release of the remix album The Remixes. The Remixes also included Portuguese versions of several good famous songs, which were recorded as a result of her success in the Brazilian market, where Pies Descalzos sold approximately a million copies.

Her fourth studio album Donde Están los Ladrones?, which was produced entirely by Shakira (with Emilio Estefan Jr. as executive producer), was released in September 1998. The album was written after an incident at the airport in which her suitcase with lyrics was stolen; it became a big hit after Pies Descalzos. The album peaked at number one hundred thirty-one in the U.S. Billboard 200 and remained at the top of the U.S. Latin Albums eleven weeks. It sold over a million copies (1.5 million in the US alone), becoming one of the best-selling Spanish-language albums in the US.

Eight singles were released from the album: “Ciega, Sordomuda”, “Moscas En La Casa”, “No Creo” which became her first single to hit the U.S. chart. Billboard Hot 100, "Inevitable", "Tú", "Si Te Vas", "Octavo día" and "Ojos Así". Shakira's last two songs earned her a Latin Grammy Award, and six of her eight singles reached the top 40 in the U.S. Latin charts.

Shakira also received her first Grammy nomination in 1999 in the Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album category.

Shakira's first live album, MTV Unplugged, was recorded in New York on August 12, 1999. Highly praised by American critics, it became one of the most best performances. This live album earned a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album in 2001 and sales of over 5 million worldwide. In March 2000, she left for her Tour Anfibio tour for two months in Latin America and the United States.

In August 2000, she won the MTV Video Music Award People's Choice - Favorite International Artist for "Ojos Así". In September 2000, Shakira performed "Ojos Así" at the inaugural Latin Grammy Awards, where she was nominated in five categories: Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for MTV Unplugged, Best Feminine Rock Vocal Performance" for "Octavo Día", "Best Pop Vocal Performance" and "Best Short Video" for "Ojos Así". She won two Grammys.

After the success of Dónde Están los Ladrones? and MTV Unplugged, Shakira began working on an international album. She worked for over a year on new material for the album. "Whenever, Wherever" ("Suerte" in Spanish countries) was released as the first and lead single from the first English-language album and fifth studio album between August 2001 and February 2002. The song is heavily influenced by the Inca genre of music, including the charango and Pan flute in the instruments. It received international success, reaching number one in many countries. And she had the same success in the United States, reaching number six on the Hot 100.

In 2003, Shakira wrote the song "Come Down Love" with Tim Mitchell for the Hollywood film The Italian Job starring Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg, but the song was not included on the film's soundtrack.

Laundry Service's fifth studio and first English-language album (Servicio De Lavanderia in Latin America and Spain) was released on November 13, 2001. The album debuted at number three in the U.S. Billboard 200 with sales of over 200,000 records in its first week. The album was later certified triple Platinum by the RIAA in June 2004.

Shakira's sixth album Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 was released in June 2005. The lead single from the album, "La Tortura", reached the top 40 on the Hot 100. The song featured Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz. Shakira became the first artist to perform a Spanish-language song at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2005.

In June 2006, she embarked on the Oral Fixation Tour. It ran from June 2006 to July 2007 and consisted of 125 shows in six countries. One show in Mexico City was free and over 200,000 people attended. This concert broke all records for the largest attendance in Mexican history.

In February 2007, Shakira performed for the first time at the 49th Grammy Awards and earned a nomination in the Best Pop Vocal Collaboration category for "Hips Don't Lie" with Wyclef Jean.

In early 2008, Forbes named Shakira the fourth highest-paid female artist in the music industry. Later in July, Shakira landed a $300 million contract with Live Nation, the international major concert production company, for ten years. The group is also a record label that promotes, rather than manages, the music of recording artists. Shakira's contract with Epic Records was supposed to cover three albums: one in English, one in Spanish and one compilation album, but upon moving to the company, Live Nation's concerts and other rights began immediately.

In January 2009, Shakira performed "We Are One" at the Lincoln Memorial to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama. She performed "Higher Ground" with Stevie Wonder and Usher. In March, Shakira appeared on Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa's Cantora 1 album in the song "La Maza", which they performed at the ALAS concert in Buenos Aires in May 2008.

The album She Wolf was released globally in October 2009 and on November 23, 2009 in the United States. It received mostly positive reviews from critics, but sold only 89,000 copies in its first week in the US, earning number fifteen on the Billboard 200. The album has sold 2 million copies worldwide to date, becoming Shakira's least successful album to date. in terms of sales.

Shakira is known for adopting many genres including folk, modern pop and rock. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she said: “My music, I think, is a synthesis of different elements. And I experiment all the time. So I’m not trying to limit myself or categorize myself or... create a confinement for myself.” Her previous Spanish albums Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones? were a mixture of folk and Latin music.

According to Sony, Shakira is the best-selling Colombian artist of all time, with sales of between 50 and 60 million albums.

In 2010, she was ranked fifth in the list of “Online Videos of the Most Popular Artists 2010" with 404,118,932 views. She became a YouTube sensation, surpassing 1 billion views on the website with "Waka Waka" with over 550 million views. She is the third person to do this after Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.

In March 2014, Shakira announced that she has the most followers on Facebook with 86 million likes.

In 2011, Shakira was honored to receive the Latin Grammy Award in the category “Person of the Year 2011.” She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is located at 6270 Hollywood Blvd. She was originally supposed to be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004, but she turned down the offer. In 2012 she received the Order of Arts and Letters.

Shakira's height: 157 centimeters

Shakira's personal life:

Shakira speaks Spanish from birth, but also speaks fluent English, Portuguese, Italian, and Catalan. She also speaks a little French.

Shakira is a Catholic and had an audience with John Paul II in 1998.

She is interested in world history and often studies history and languages different countries which she visits. After the end of her Oral Fixation tour in the summer of 2007, Shakira enrolled in the History of Western Civilization course at the University of California, Los Angeles. She used her middle name and last name, Isabelle Mebarak, and told the professor that she came from Colombia to avoid being recognized.

Shakira is known to have an IQ of 140, which arguably makes her the smartest pop singer today and one of the smartest artists in the music industry today.

Shakira has a cousin, model and Miss Colombia 2005-2006, Valerie Dominguez.

In 2000, Shakira began dating Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rua. In a 2009 interview, Shakira stated that they were in a serious relationship, like a married couple, and “they don’t need paperwork for that.” On January 10, 2011, Shakira announced on her website that after 11 years together, she and de la Rua had separated.

In September 2012, it was reported that de la Rua planned to sue Shakira for $250 million, seeking monetary compensation for his work as her business manager, as well as for marital assets. De la Rua eventually filed a lawsuit in California in April 2013, claiming $100 million he believed was his after Shakira abruptly ended her business partnership with him in October 2011, ten months after their split.

Shakira is currently dating Spanish footballer Gerard Pique, a center back from FC Barcelona and the national football team. They met in the spring of 2010, when Pique appeared in Shakira's "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" video, the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Shakira officially confirmed the relationship on March 29, 2011 via Twitter and Facebook, posting a photo of both with the caption: “I present to you my sunshine.” This was the first time she spoke about the relationship after months of media speculation.

Shakira gave birth to her son Milan Pique Mebarak on January 22, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain, where her family lives. On January 29, 2015, in Barcelona, the couple had a second son, whom the couple named Sasha.

Shakira discography:

Magic (1991)
Peligro (1993)
Pies Descalzos (1995)
Donde 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)

Shakira Tours:

Tour Pies Descalzos (1996-97)
Tour Anfibio (2000)
Tour of the Mongoose (2002-03)
Oral Fixation Tour (2006-07)
The Sun Comes Out World Tour (2010-11)

Filmography of Shakira:

1996 - El oasis - Luisa Maria
2001-2009 - Saturday Night Live - cameo
2002 - Taina - cameo
2009 - Ugly - cameo
2010 - Wizards of Waverly Place - cameo
2013 - Voice of Yourself - cameo (coach and judge)
2013 - Alice's Birthday - Captain

Celebrity biographies

4381

02.02.17 10:55

At school she was told she “howled like a goat,” but she became one of the best-selling singers of our time. Looking at her attractive appearance, you would never think that behind this face lies an IQ that would be the envy of scientists. She is a star, philanthropist, poet, composer, public favorite and companion of one of the most famous football players - Shakir. Biography of a Colombian – shining example, what can you achieve if you don’t bury your talent in the ground!

Biography of Shakira

Goddess of Light Prodigy

The full name of the star, who turns 40 today, is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, she only child Nydia and William Mebarak Shadid. When Shakira was born (February 2, 1977), the family lived in Barranquilla (Colombia). WITH Arabic name singer is translated as “full of grace”, from Hindi – as “goddess of light”. Shakira has been bringing light to people for many years!

Shakira's mother's ancestry included Catalans, Castilians and Italians; her father was born in New York, where his Lebanese ancestors moved. William has been married before, so singer Shakira has eight older sisters and brothers. The baby grew up very smart, began to read and write long before school, and at the age of four she surprised her parents with her first poem. Dad gave his seven-year-old daughter a typewriter, and she wrote down her poems. One of the brothers died when the girl was two years old, and the father put on sunglasses so that no one could see his tears. This is how the song “Your Dark Glasses” was born, which Shakira composed in 1985.

She was fascinated by belly dancing

One day, William took his daughter to a restaurant where he was playing a doombek (an Arabic drum that accompanied belly dancing). Shakira was fascinated. She studied at a Catholic school and was already singing in the choir, from where she was soon expelled. The music teacher winced at the strong vibrato and said: “You howl like a goat!” However, the girl was not embarrassed and continued to sing solo, and also took belly dancing lessons.

The first contract is with Sony Music Colombia

As a child, the future singer Shakira felt her first strong sensations from performing on stage - she presented her art at concerts in hometown, and the schoolgirl liked singing and dancing in public more and more. Local agent Monica Ariza supported Shakira and introduced young talent Ciro Vargas, who worked for Sony Music Colombia. I had to be persistent, but this led to the signing of the first contract in Shakira’s biography.

However, the debut studio album “Magia” (1991) and the subsequent disc “Peligro” (1993) did not cause a stir. Commercial failures only provoked the girl, however, she took a break in order to finish school.

Breaking into the American charts

Already the “adult” album of the singer Shakira “Pies Descalzos”, which was released in 1996, became the leader of several charts (though not American), but one of the singles from the disc took fifth place in the US chart.

In support of the album, Shakira conducted her first tour, consisting of two dozen performances. The fourth album, “Dónde Están los Ladrones?”, launched two years later, was received even warmer. But the English-language market was finally conquered when singer Shakira released the stunning disc “Laundry Service” (in 2001). A year later, the hit from this album “Whenever, Wherever” was recognized as a sales leader.

Growing popularity and the World Cup anthem

Further, the popularity of the beauty, who raised Latin American music to a new level, used ethnic instruments and motifs, masterfully performed belly dancing and amazed with her vocal range, only gained momentum. In 2005, Shakira released two albums at once - Fijación Oral, Vol. 1" and "Oral Fixation, Vol. 2". The song "Hips Don't Lie" was recognized as the best-selling hit (at that time).

Although the singer's next two discs became victims of Shakira's disagreements with the Epic Records brand, the reviews for them were still excellent. And the Colombian’s achievements by that time (2010) had reached incredible heights. She performed duets with fellow stars, released videos, and gained a record number of views (and subscribers on social networks).

Sales of Shakira's albums (according to media reports) have exceeded 70 million, this is the best result for a Colombian artist. In 2010, she wrote the “anthem” of the World Cup in South Africa, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” On YouTube music video This song was seen by more than 629 million users.

Voiced a parody of herself

In 2014, the singer released her namesake album (“Shakira”), the single from which (“Can’t Remember to Forget You”) was incredibly popular. In 2016, an animated feature film was released, in which there is a cute parody of Shakira - pop star Gazelle, who was voiced by Shakira herself. Both the cartoon itself and the character came out wonderful, smart, kind, lively and funny!

Shakira received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and served on the jury of the American show “The Voice” for 2 seasons. She is the winner of two Grammys (and eight Latin Grammys), won 28 Billboard Latin Music Awards and many other awards and honors.

Goodwill Ambassador with high IQ

The performer and composer paid and continues to pay special attention to charity. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador with own fund, which raised millions of dollars. Largely thanks to this, singer Shakira entered the hundred most powerful women on the planet (according to Forbes) - twice, in 2013 and 2014. Shakira fights hunger and advocates for the rights of poor children to education and a decent life.

There are still many surprising things in Shakira's biography. She is a polyglot, and although she native language– Spanish, the beauty speaks Portuguese, English, Catalan, and speaks passably in Arabic and French. She studied the History of Western Civilization course at the University of California, incognito, under her middle name, "Isabel Mebarak." Sources say that singer Shakira has an IQ of 140, so she is probably the smartest person in pop culture.

Shakira's personal life

Greedy Antonio

At the age of 23, Shakira became the companion of a lawyer from Argentina, Antonio de la Rua; she later claimed that they did not need to get married, they already felt like husband and wife.

This union lasted a long time, but at the beginning of 2011 personal life Shakira has changed - she stated that she broke up with Antonio by mutual agreement. However, the star was wrong: the offended de la Rua wanted compensation (he allegedly served as the singer’s manager) and initially planned to sue his ex-girlfriend for 250 million, but then filed a claim for 100 million dollars.

Music connected them: an affair with Pique

After Barcelona central defender Gerard Pique Bernabeu took part in music video Shakira (“the anthem” of the 2010 FIFA World Cup), the two began dating. Shakira announced her relationship in March 2011. It is interesting that the Spaniard Gerard Pique and his beloved were born on the same day - February 2, but with a difference of 10 years (the football player is younger).

Charming quartet: Gerard, Shakira and children

They are very a beautiful couple, Gerard and Shakira! The children from this union - Milan, born on January 22, 2013, and Sasha, born 3 years later, are also charming.

Both sons were born in Barcelona - the singer’s father and mother live there. Gerard is also from there, with whom the singer still has a “civil marriage.” Shakira is not going to change her personal life - she is satisfied with this order of things. I just wonder who Shakira named one of her children after, Sasha? Not a Latin American or Spanish name at all!

Shakira (Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) was born on February 2, 1977 in Colombia. Shakira's parents loved her very much and invested a lot in her upbringing. WITH early childhood the girl was interested in music and literature. At 1.5 years old she already knew the alphabet and by the age of three she learned to read and write. And a year later I wrote my first poem.

One day, when Shakira was 4 years old, her dad took her to a restaurant, where she first heard the sound of the ethnic dumbeke drum. They usually danced to it. She liked the music so much that the girl immediately started dancing on the table. Thus, she realized that she wanted to perform, and the stage was her calling.

In elementary school, she sang in the choir, but the director later said that her timbre was not suitable for the group (due to strong vibrato) and she had to leave the choir, so as a child, Shakira often sang herself. Later she mastered belly dancing.

From the age of 10 to 13, Shakira performed in her hometown of Barranquilla as a singer. This is how she earned money and became famous in her area. Later, thanks to her acquaintance with the producer Sony Colombia, she managed to sign her first contract.

Personal life

There are no secrets about Shakira’s personal life. In 2000, she met Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rua and they soon began dating. Their relationship was serious, as the singer stated in her interviews, but it did not come to marriage. And after 11 years they broke up.

In 2010, she met Spanish football player Gerard Pique, whom she married. Now Shakira lives in Spain with her family, husband and children. They have two beautiful sons: Milan and Sasha.

Timeline of Shakira's achievements

There are many interesting facts in the biography of singer Shakira:

at the age of 14 she had already released her first album;
later she starred in the leading role in the series “Oasis”, and then starred in 5 more films;
in 1996 she was named “Person of the Year” and “Woman of the Year” by the media;
in 1997 founded a Colombian charitable foundation with special schools for poor children throughout Colombia;
since 2001, the singer moved to the English-speaking market;
released her perfume;
received many awards and prizes.