Despite her success, though, Shakira has experienced plenty of setbacks.
She grew up in a large, blended family that included nine half-siblings from her father’s first marriage.
The family was loving and close-knit, but an unthinkable tragedy occurred during Shakira’s childhood.
When the singer was just 2 years old, her 19-year-old half-brother was killed in a motorcycle accident.
His death left the family shocked and grief-stricken.
Overwhelmed by the loss, Shakira’s father started wearing dark sunglasses to conceal his sorrow.
Even in her youth, the singer recognized her family’s heartache and she found solace in creating music.
The heartfelt ballad appeared on her debut album, “Magia,” in 1991.
Shakira’s father, William Mabarak Chadid, opened up about the song in an episode of VH1 Driven.
Shakira was teased for her unique singing voice
Shakira always had a knack for performing.
As she detailed toRolling Stone, she began belly dancing at 4 years old.
By 7, she’d started writing poetry and experimenting with instruments.
Soon, she was entering local talent contests and singing at state fairs.
She became a formidable dancer, singer, and songwriter and all before she even started high school.
Despite her impressive talents, not everyone saw potential in the young artist.
“He didn’t like the way I sang,” the hitmaker said.
“He thought it was too much.”
Fortunately, Shakira’s father encouraged her to keep singing.
Years later, her unique vocalizations would become her signature trait.
At just 13, the singer recorded her debut album, “Magia.”
Her second record, “Peligro,” was released two years later.
Unfortunately, the albums didn’t fare well on the market.
“Magia” sold around 1,200 copies while “Peligro” sold under 1,000.
“We have been known around the world … for our folklore and tropical music.
And that would be the easy path to follow.
But I don’t like easy paths; I like challenges.”
By 1996, Shakira had cultivated a new vibe for her third album, “Pies Descalos.”
The album sold over 3 million copies and catapulted Shakira to fame in the Spanish-speaking world.
Armed with pan pipes and her iconic yodel, she belly-danced her way into the hearts of English-speaking audiences.
The record was an enormous success, selling over 13 million copies globally.
In 2017, the songstress released “La Bicicleta” with fellow Colombian artist Carlos Vives.
Shakira toldThe New York Timesthat she made the video to challenge uninformed stereotypes about her home country.
But ultimately, things didn’t work out, and they split up in 2010.
The pair also pledged to continue working together on Shakira’s music career.
Unfortunately, the breakup turned messy.
In 2012, de la Rua sued Shakira for $100 million.
In his lawsuit, de la Rua claimed he was instrumental in building the singer’s extremely lucrative career.
He therefore believed he was entitled to a large chunk of her fortune.
Shakira’s former beau filed lawsuits against her in Switzerland, New York, and California.
In 2013, Shakira spoke out, saying in a statement provided toE!
News, “I am very grateful that the courts are not allowing these groundless lawsuits to proceed.
I have moved on in my life and could not be happier now.
I hope this harassment will now come to an end.”
“I can’t wait to be onstage again singing along with all of you.
It’s going to be fun!”
Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived.
Just before opening night, the singer announced that she was postponing her world tour.
Shakira later toldThe Guardianthat the injury made her feel bitter, pessimistic, and severely depressed.
At times, the singer spent all day languishing in bed.
It was my identity.
So when I couldn’t sing, that was unbearable."
Fortunately,Shakira’s vocal cords healed without surgical intervention, and she resumed her world tour in 2018.
That year Shakira even won a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album thanks to “El Dorado.”
Before long, the pop diva and the pro athlete fell in love.
Over the next 12 years, they settled down in Spain and welcomed two sons, Milan and Shasha.
The couple seemed to have it all, but sadly, their union ended in 2022.
The pair confirmed their breakup in June of that year but didn’t share any additional details.
However, some fans began to speculate that Pique had been unfaithful to Shakira.
“I think that nothing can compensate for the pain of destroying a family,” she toldBillboardin 2023.
“Of course, I have to keep going for my children’s sake.
Overcome obstacles and grow old together.
I know I’m not getting that now.”
First, there was her devastating breakup with Gerard Pique.
Then, rumors of Pique cheating emerged.
Her private life became the center of a tabloid frenzy.
The singer’s father, William Mabarak Chadid, traveled to her home in Barcelona to comfort her.
But while he was there, Chadid fell and suffered a brain bleed.
“Everything happened at once,” she toldPeople en Espanol.
“My home was falling apart.
I thought, ‘How can so many things happen to me in a year?'”
The song was a smash hit and garnered two Latin Grammy awards.
The pop diva fervently denied copying Castellanos’ work.
Ultimately, the court sided with Shakira and concluded that she hadn’t plagiarized the song.
Still, the 2019 allegations proved to be somewhat damming for Shakira.
Some critics remained skeptical of the singer, and the suspicion has continued to impact her career.
She shared the stage with fellow Latina legendJennifer Lopez.
She also rocked out on a drum kit and donned a dazzling rhinestone-encrusted guitar.
The show equally showcased her colossal talents and her sexy “She Wolf” prowess.
Some social media users even referred to the event as “Stripperbowl2020.”
“I think art, music should be sensual.
Not necessarily sexual,” she toldThe New York Timesback in 2005.
“Sensual is everything that refers to the delight of the senses.
And that’s what artists do, is stimulate the senses in any possible way.”
The pop goddess has also been accused of evading a hefty amount of taxes.
At the time of this writing, neither case has been resolved.
Shakira faces an 8-year prison sentence if convicted for the original six counts, according to CBS News.
The “Loca” singer has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
She blasted the “fake accusations” and criticized the Spanish legal system.
She had a terrifying surfing accident in 2023
Around 2021, Shakira caught the surfing bug.
“I recently took it up as a hobby,” she gushed toGlamour magazine.
Everything is, to a certain extent, uncomfortable," the singer said.
“Surfing is not a comfortable sport.”
Things went from uncomfortable to downright scary in 2023 when Shakira had an accident while surfing in Costa Rica.
The songstress had been catching waves with fellow celeb Gisele Bundchen when she suddenly slipped under the water.
Fortunately, Shakira’s surfing instructors were nearby and brought her back to shore.
Witnesses took to social media with accounts of the terrifying scene.
One user on X (formerly Twitter)posted photosof the aftermath.
In the snapshots, Shakira could be seen holding her forehead while visibly in pain.
Fortunately, she appears to have recovered.
