Shakira Bio, Age, Height, Boyfriend, FIFA World Cup 2026, Net Worth, Tour, Career, Grammy Awards & Facts

Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist widely regarded as the “Queen of Latin Music.” From her early days writing poetry in Barranquilla to selling over 125 million records worldwide, winning four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammys, and performing at three FIFA World Cups, she has built one of the most successful crossover careers in music history. At 49, she continues to dominate charts with her 2024 album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, is set to co-headline the historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show, and has confirmed her relationship with British actor Lucien Laviscount—all while having won a major tax battle in Spain and maintaining her status as a global icon.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her father, William Mebarak Chadid, is of Lebanese descent and worked as a jeweler and writer. Her mother, Nidia Ripoll Torrado, is Colombian. Shakira has nine half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage. She was named after the Arabic word for “grateful” or “full of grace.”

Shakira’s artistic gifts emerged almost immediately. She began belly dancing at age 4, choreographing her own routines, and started writing songs at age 10. Her school choir rejected her because her music teacher thought her voice was “too strong” and would overpower the other students—a rejection that did nothing to stop her passion.

At 13, a local theater producer arranged an impromptu audition with a Sony Music executive, and Shakira secured her first record deal. She released her debut album Magia in 1991 at age 14, followed by Peligro in 1993. Neither achieved significant commercial success, but they laid the groundwork for her breakthrough.

Career Journey

Latin American Breakthrough: Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1995–1998)

Shakira’s career transformed with Pies Descalzos (1995), which produced hits like “Estoy aquí,” “Pienso en ti,” and “Un poco de amor.” The album established her as a major force in Latin music. In 1998, she released Dónde Están los Ladrones?, her first album to chart on the Billboard 200 (peaking at No. 131) and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Performance.

English-Language Crossover: Laundry Service (2001–2002)

Shakira’s global explosion came with Laundry Service (2001), her first predominantly English-language album. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, sold over 13 million copies worldwide, and went triple platinum in the US. The lead single “Whenever, Wherever” peaked at No. 6 on the Hot 100, while “Underneath Your Clothes” reached No. 9. She simultaneously released a Spanish version, Servicio de Lavandería.

The Dual Album Strategy: Fijación Oral and Oral Fixation (2005–2006)

In a savvy business move, Shakira released Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (Spanish) and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (English) in 2005. Fijación Oral sold one million copies in three days and featured “La Tortura” with Alejandro Sanz, which stayed atop the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks for 25 weeks. Oral Fixation Vol. 2 included the global smash “Hips Don’t Lie” featuring Wyclef Jean, which became her first Hot 100 No. 1 and the most-played pop song in a single week in American radio history (9,657 plays). She became the only South American artist with No. 1s on the US Hot 100, Australian ARIA, and UK singles charts.

World Cups, She Wolf, and Sale el Sol (2008–2012)

Shakira performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which became the tournament’s official song and one of the best-selling singles of all time. She released She Wolf (2009) and Sale el Sol (2010), the latter supported by the Sun Comes Out World Tour. In 2012, she joined The Voice as a coach.

Shakira, El Dorado, and Vocal Cord Crisis (2013–2019)

Her self-titled tenth album Shakira (2014) featured duets with Rihanna and Blake Shelton. She closed the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. El Dorado (2017) won the Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album and the Latin Grammy for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album. The album’s standout “La Bicicleta” with Carlos Vives won Latin Grammys for Record and Song of the Year.

The El Dorado World Tour was delayed when Shakira suffered strained vocal cords, forcing cancellations. She recovered and resumed in 2018.

Super Bowl LIV and Dancing with Myself (2020–2022)

In February 2020, Shakira co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show with Jennifer Lopez, delivering a sensational performance that showcased Latin American music styles including salsa, rumba, mambo, samba, and the Afro-Colombian dances mapalé and champeta. She served as executive producer and judge on NBC’s Dancing with Myself (2022), which was canceled after one season.

The Breakup Era: Bzrp Music Sessions and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2023–Present)

Following her 2022 split from Gerard Piqué, Shakira released the viral diss track “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Argentine DJ Bizarrap in January 2023. The song became a global chart-topper and a top 10 hit in the US.

In March 2024, she released her twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women Don’t Cry Anymore), inspired by her breakup journey from heartbreak to empowerment. The album debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Latin charts, making Shakira the first woman with No. 1 albums across four decades on Billboard’s Latin album charts. It featured collaborations with Cardi B (“Puntería”), Rauw Alejandro (“Te Felicito”), Karol G (“TQG”), and Grupo Frontera.

In February 2025, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. Shakira dedicated the award to immigrants and working mothers.

FIFA World Cup 2026: “Dai Dai” and Historic Halftime Show (2025–2026)

In 2025, Shakira released “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy, the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2026. She performed the song at the opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, alongside Burna Boy. The music video featured global football stars including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jamal Musiala.

In a historic first, Shakira is set to co-headline the FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19, 2026, at the New York-New Jersey Stadium, alongside Madonna and BTS. The halftime show is being curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and produced by Global Citizen—marking the first-ever halftime performance at a World Cup final.

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour: Record-Breaking Success (2024–2026)

Shakira launched her seventh concert tour in 2024 to promote the album. The tour has become the highest-grossing tour ever by a Hispanic artist, earning over $420 million and drawing more than 3.3 million fans worldwide, earning a Guinness World Record. The tour continues through 2026 with:

• U.S. Summer 2026: Intimate arena shows in Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, New York, and Atlantic City (June–July 2026)
• European Residency: “Estadio Shakira” in Madrid, Spain—a temporary 50,000-capacity pop-up venue at Macondo Park for 12 shows (September–October 2026)
• Historic Concert: Performance at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
• Middle East: Live in Doha, Qatar (November 2026)

The tour setlist includes hits spanning her entire career, from “Pies Descalzos” and “Ojos Así” to “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Waka Waka,” and “Soltera.”

Acting and Voice Work

Shakira has appeared in Ugly Betty (2009), Wizards of Waverly Place (2010), and voiced Gazelle in Disney’s Zootopia (2016). She reprised the role in Zootopia+ (2022) and returned for Zootopia 2 (2025), where her sons Milan and Sasha also recorded lines alongside her. She also contributed the song “Zoo” to the Zootopia 2 soundtrack.

Career Stats & Milestones

Personal Life

Relationship with Gerard Piqué (2010–2022)

Shakira met Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué in June 2010 while filming the “Waka Waka” music video for the FIFA World Cup. They confirmed their relationship in 2011 and lived in Barcelona. They share two sons: Milan (born January 22, 2013) and Sasha (born January 29, 2015). The couple famously never married—Shakira told 60 Minutes that “marriage scares the shit out of me.”

In June 2022, they announced their separation. Shakira later revealed she learned of Piqué’s “betrayal” (an affair with Clara Chía Marti) from media accounts while her 91-year-old father was hospitalized.

Relationship with Lucien Laviscount (2024–Present)

In 2024, Shakira met British actor Lucien Laviscount on the set of her “Puntería” music video, where he played her love interest. Born June 9, 1992, Laviscount is 15 years younger than Shakira and best known for playing Alfie in Netflix’s Emily in Paris.

By February 2026, Shakira had confirmed the relationship, making public appearances together. The age gap sparked online debate, but fans largely celebrated the pairing. As of May 2026, the relationship remains active and public, with the couple comfortable being seen together while maintaining privacy about details.

Previous Relationships

Before Piqué, Shakira dated Antonio de la Rúa, son of former Argentine President Fernando de la Rúa, from 2000 to 2010. They were engaged for a period. De la Rúa sued her for $250 million in 2012, claiming he helped create the “Shakira brand,” but the lawsuit was dismissed.

Family and Children

Shakira’s two sons, Milan and Sasha, are central to her life. She has spoken about the pain of raising them separately from their father and the challenges of co-parenting across continents. In 2025, she revealed her children recorded voice lines for Zootopia 2 alongside her. During the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran tour, an interlude features a video of Milan and Sasha singing “Acróstico.”

Controversies

Tax Fraud Case: Full Acquittal and $64 Million Return (2018–2026)

Shakira’s legal battles with Spanish tax authorities concluded victoriously:

• 2018: Charged with tax fraud for allegedly evading $15.8 million in income taxes between 2012 and 2014
• 2023: Reached a plea deal for 2012–2014 charges, accepting a suspended sentence and paying a fine
• May 2026: The Spanish National Court acquitted her of 2011 tax fraud charges, ruling she had not lived in Spain long enough to be a tax resident. The court ordered the state to return over $64 million in wrongly imposed fines and interest. Shakira stated: “For nearly a decade, I was treated as guilty. Today, that narrative crumbles.”

This victory significantly boosted her net worth, with Celebrity Net Worth updating her valuation to $350 million in May 2026.

Political and Social Advocacy

Shakira has been an outspoken advocate for immigrants, education, and women’s rights. She dedicated her 2025 Grammy win to immigrants in the U.S. and has worked as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and through her own Pies Descalzos Foundation, which builds schools for underprivileged children in Colombia. In 2025, she joined The Weeknd, Ivanka Trump, and Serena Williams on the FIFA Global Citizen Education Board ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Awards & Achievements

• 4 Grammy Awards (including Best Latin Pop Album for El Dorado and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran)
• 15 Latin Grammy Awards (second most for a female artist)
• Billboard Latin Woman of the Year (2023, inaugural honoree)
• Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year (2011)
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2011)
• MTV Video Vanguard Award (2023)
• Most-awarded female Latin artist in American Music Awards history
• First woman with No. 1 albums across four decades on Billboard Latin charts
• Guinness World Record: Highest-grossing tour by a Hispanic artist ($420M+)
• Nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2026)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country. You’re loved, worth it and I will always fight with you.”
— Grammy Awards acceptance speech, February 2025

“For nearly a decade, I was treated as guilty. Today, that narrative crumbles, and it does so with the full force of a court ruling.”
— On Spanish tax acquittal and $64M return, May 2026

“I think that nothing can compensate for the pain of destroying a family. Of course, I have to keep going for my children’s sake; that’s my greatest motivation.”
— On her breakup with Piqué, Billboard interview

“I wasn’t a soccer fan, so I didn’t know who he was. When I saw the video, I was like, ‘Hmm, that one’s kind of cute.'”
— On first meeting Gerard Piqué, 60 Minutes interview

Favorites

• Music Genres: Latin pop, rock, reggaeton, bachata, Afro-Colombian rhythms
• Dances: Belly dancing, mapalé, champeta, salsa, rumba
• Sports: Soccer (converted by Piqué)
• Cities: Barranquilla (hometown), Miami (current home), Barcelona (former home)
• Causes: Education, immigrant rights, women’s empowerment, child welfare
• Hobbies: Ancient philosophy (completed a course at Penn during COVID), poetry, belly dancing
• Perfumes: “S by Shakira” fragrance line with Puig
• Haircare: Isima brand (vegan, cruelty-free)

Earnings

As of May 2026, Shakira’s estimated net worth is $350 million (updated from $300 million following her Spanish tax victory). Her wealth derives from:

• Record Sales: 125+ million albums sold worldwide
• Concert Tours: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran Tour grossed $420+ million (Guinness World Record)
• Publishing Rights: Sold her catalog for at least $100 million in 2021
• Live Nation Deal: 10-year, $300 million deal signed in 2008
• Endorsements: Pepsi, Reebok, Oral-B, Crest, Panasonic, T-Mobile, and others
• Television: The Voice, Dancing with Myself
• Acting/Voice Work: Zootopia franchise
• Fragrance Line: “S by Shakira” with Puig
• Haircare Brand: Isima
• Real Estate: Properties in Miami, Uruguay, Barcelona, and Cyprus
• Tax Victory: $64+ million returned from Spanish authorities (May 2026)

Interesting Facts

• Shakira was rejected from her school choir at age 7 because her voice was “too strong.”
• She is fluent in four languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Italian.
• “Hips Don’t Lie” was the most-played pop song in a single week in American radio history (9,657 plays).
• She is the only South American artist with No. 1 singles on the US Hot 100, UK singles chart, and Australian ARIA chart.
• She and Piqué share the same birthday (February 2), exactly 10 years apart.
• She completed an ancient philosophy course at the University of Pennsylvania during COVID-19 lockdowns.
• Her sons Milan and Sasha recorded voice lines for Zootopia 2 alongside her in 2025.
• She was named one of Global Citizen’s “14 Feminist Heroes” alongside Beyoncé, Jane Fonda, and Dolly Parton.
• She is the female artist with the most top-10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart (37).
• She will co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show (July 19, 2026) with Madonna and BTS.
• Her “Dai Dai” music video features Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and other football stars.
• She performed at the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.

Did You Know Already?

• Shakira’s name means “grateful” or “full of grace” in Arabic.
• She began belly dancing at age 4 and writing songs at age 10.
• She has nine half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage.
• She was engaged to Antonio de la Rúa for years but never married him.
• She told 60 Minutes that “marriage scares the shit out of me.”
• Her Pies Descalzos Foundation has built multiple schools in Colombia.
• She was acquitted of 2011 tax fraud in May 2026 and awarded over $64 million in returned fines.
• She is nominated to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2026.
• She will perform at the Pyramids of Giza as part of her 2025–2026 tour.
• Her Madrid residency is at a temporary 50,000-capacity “Estadio Shakira” pop-up venue.

Social Media Links

• Official Website: shakira.com
• Instagram: @shakira — 96.4M+ followers
• Twitter/X: @shakira
• YouTube: shakiraVEVO
• Facebook: Shakira — 123.6M+ followers
• TikTok: @shakira
• Spotify: Shakira — 89.6M monthly listeners

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Shakira?
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, making her 49 years old as of 2026.

Who is Shakira’s boyfriend in 2026?
She is dating British actor Lucien Laviscount, known for Emily in Paris. They met on the set of her “Puntería” music video in 2024 and confirmed their relationship in early 2026. He is 15 years younger than her.

What is Shakira’s net worth in 2026?
Her estimated net worth is $350 million as of May 2026, updated from $300 million following her Spanish tax case victory and $64 million refund.

Is Shakira performing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. She released “Dai Dai” with Burna Boy as the official World Cup 2026 song, performed at the opening ceremony in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, and will co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 19, 2026 with Madonna and BTS.

How many children does Shakira have?
She has two sons: Milan (born 2013) and Sasha (born 2015), with ex-partner Gerard Piqué.

What is Shakira’s most famous song?
“Hips Don’t Lie” (2006) featuring Wyclef Jean is her most iconic global hit, reaching No. 1 in 55 countries and becoming the most-played song in a single week on American radio.

Did Shakira win a Grammy in 2025?
Yes. Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2025.

Is Shakira married?
No. She has never been legally married, though she had long-term relationships with Antonio de la Rúa (2000–2010) and Gerard Piqué (2011–2022).

What is Shakira’s height?
She stands at 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm).

Was Shakira acquitted of tax fraud?
Yes. In May 2026, the Spanish National Court acquitted her of 2011 tax fraud charges and ordered the return of over $64 million in wrongly imposed fines.

What is Shakira’s 2026 tour schedule?
Her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour continues through 2026 with U.S. arena shows (June–July), a historic residency at “Estadio Shakira” in Madrid (September–October), a concert at the Pyramids of Giza, and a show in Doha, Qatar (November).

Conclusion

Shakira’s journey from a choir-rejected child in Barranquilla to the Queen of Latin Music is one of the most remarkable stories in modern entertainment. At 49, she continues to break records—her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran Tour became the highest-grossing ever by a Hispanic artist, she won a historic tax victory returning $64 million, and she is set to co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. Whether she’s belly dancing at the Super Bowl, dissing her ex in viral hits, or advocating for immigrants on the Grammy stage, Shakira remains a force of nature—small in stature but gigantic in impact. With Lucien Laviscount by her side, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination pending, and a world tour that shows no signs of slowing, her reign is far from over.

If you enjoyed this biography, please share it with fans of Latin music and anyone who believes in the power of reinvention.