Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, who is more commonly referred to as simply Shakira, is one of the most popular musicians of the modern age. She was born on 2nd February 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia. However, her full name resonates with her ancestry links, as Shakira is of Lebanese, Spanish, and Italian descent. She is always recognizable by the unique voice she possesses, which brings a spice of Latin to pop, accompanied by belly dance, which Ms. Shakira incorporates into her performance.
We can clearly see how she dedicated herself fully to achieving her dreams and making a name for herself in the music industry. Even as a child, She was able to confront certain hurdles that drove her instinct and ardor for music even further. She is now a global star with many awards, albums, and fans. Besides, she has followed a career in music – now she is also an advocate of a child’s education and is well respected for her charitable activities.
Quick Facts About Shakira
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll |
| Born | February 2, 1977 |
| Birthplace | Barranquilla, Colombia |
| Age | 47 years old (as of 2024) |
| Height | 5′ 2″ (1.57 m) |
| Nationality | Colombian |
| Occupation | Singer, songwriter, dancer, philanthropist |
| Children | Milan Piqué, Sasha Piqué |
| Parents | William Mebarak Chadid, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado |
| Net Worth (2024) | Estimated at $300 million |
Early Life and Education of Shakira
She was lucky enough to be born into a family with a rich cultural history that influenced her imagination since childhood. William Mebarak Chadid, her father, comes from a Lebanese family, while her mother, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, is of Spanish and Italian descent. Such nuances of Shakira’s background had an important impact on her music and the way she performed.
Shakira was a hyperactive child and was diagnosed with ADHD, which meant she struggled to concentrate in class. However, one clear thing is that she loved music. Alone in the classroom, with her classmates ridiculing her, her music teacher told her to stop singing, claiming she sounded like a goat. Shakira’s resolve to enter the music industry only became stronger. She learned the art of belly dancing from her Lebanese grandmother, and she eventually started incorporating it into her performances.
Now, let’s focus on Shakira’s education. She studied English literature at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). However, upon embarking on her musical career, it became clear to her that she could not complete her studies.
Shakira’s Career: Rise to Fame
At 12 years of age, Shakira began her professional music career after signing her very first record contract. Pies Descalzos, her first studio album, is credited with having developed her image in the Latin American market since its release in 1995. She won Best Latin Pop Album at the Grammy Awards for her album MTV Unplugged (2001), which made her debut internationally. With her album Laundry Service (2001), Shakira acquired a universal audience – songs like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie” propelled her to success.
The richness of her style incorporates Latin pop, rock, and world music, and she also features a strong voice and graceful movements while dancing. There has been a significant growth in Shakira’s net worth over the years due to her music sales, endorsements and business ventures, which are anticipated to reach $300 million in 2024.
Shakira’s Personal Life: Family, Husband, and Children
She has always been the center of attention, and most people often discuss her relationships. She began dating Spanish player Gerard Piqué in 2011. The pair has two kids: son Milan Piqué and daughter Sasha Piqué. Milan was born in 2013, and then Sasha was born in 2015. For more than a decade, the couple remained together until they split in 2022.
Regarding Shakira’s partner, she was never Piqué’s wife, though they had been together for a long time. How old is Shakira’s life partner now? Out of their breakup, Piqué, born 02 February 1987, was 37 years old as of 2024, ten years younger than her.
While their breakup has been all over the media, she still manages to pursue her professional responsibilities while sharing life with her children. Even though she has personally experienced a lot of difficulties, her strong love for her family can still be clearly seen.
Shakira’s Music and Cultural Impact
Not only did Shakira accomplish a lot in the music industry, but she also influenced contemporary global culture. The song “Hips Don’t Lie” went on to become an international sensation, and her performance has been ranked as one of the most memorable in recent years. In 2020, she figured alongside Jennifer Lopez as one of the first Latinos to perform in a Super Bowl Halftime Show.
She has a special talent for integrating Latin rhythms into popular music to make them even more compelling, and her commanding stage presence makes her one of the most compelling artists of her generation. Shakira has been known for her very distinct belly dancing and vigorous dancing, which has not only become a trend in the music industry but is also one of her highlights when performing on stage.
Shakira’s Philanthropic Efforts
In addition to her music career, Shakira has contributed a lot to society. She is keen on education and has taken part in various charity projects. She is the founder of the Pies Descalzos Foundation, through which she aims to bring education and adequate nutrition to children from impoverished families in Colombia.
Such child-centred activities and efforts to improve the situation in her country contributed to Shakira being not only an artist but also a human rights activist.
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Fun Facts About Shakira
- Shakira’s age as of 2024 is 47 years old.
- She is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese and has some proficiency in Italian and French.
- She holds perfect pitch, meaning she can recognize any musical note without hearing it first or sing any note on command.
- She has a deep appreciation for Bollywood music and dance, and she even worked with choreographer Farah Khan for her 2006 MTV Video Music Awards performance.
- Her stage performances often include her signature belly dancing, which she learned from her grandmother.
Conclusion
The career trajectory of her from an innocent child with big dreams to a global phenomenon is simply commendable. The story of the Colombian musician, singer, songwriter, and dancer has gone from pain to success, and the mark of Shakira has already been established in the universe’s music and culture. Stepping into 2024, and yet again, this will be the new phase of her career, there is no damaged reputation whatsoever. In one way or another, be it from music, charity work or a personal angle, She has more followers than any individual across the globe.
