Major Controversies Surrounding Shakira: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Shakira.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, a Colombian singer-songwriter and dancer, is known as the "Queen of Latin Music." She significantly impacted Latin America's music scene and popularized Hispanophone music globally, increasing the use of the Spanish language. She has won 4 Grammy Awards and 15 Latin Grammy Awards, including 3 Song of the Year wins.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

October 2010: Shakira Declares "We Are All Gypsies"

In October 2010, in the Spanish edition of GQ magazine, Shakira addressed French President Nicolas Sarkozy, stating "we are all gypsies", and advocated for the fundamental rights of human beings, urging citizens to condemn actions that seem indictable.

2012: Period of alleged tax evasion begins

In 2012, the period during which Shakira allegedly failed to pay taxes in Spain began, continuing until 2014, leading to an investigation in 2017.

2014: Period of alleged tax evasion ends

In 2014, the period during which Shakira allegedly failed to pay taxes in Spain ended. The Spanish authorities announced an investigation into her taxes in 2017.

November 2017: Named in the Paradise Papers

In November 2017, Shakira was named in the Paradise Papers, which disclosed her sole ownership of a Malta-based company used to transfer over $30 million in music rights. Her representatives maintained the lawfulness of her use of the company.

2017: Tax investigation announced

In 2017, Spanish authorities announced an investigation into Shakira's taxes, alleging she failed to pay taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014.

2019: Applications for offshore companies

In 2019, Shakira submitted applications for three offshore companies, which her representatives later stated were part of the process of dissolving existing companies and revealed in the 2021 Pandora Papers.

October 2020: Publishes Op-Ed on Separated Children at U.S.-Mexico Border

On 30 October 2020, Shakira published an op-ed in Time magazine titled "Shakira: The Parents of 545 Children Are Missing, and the Silence Is Blaring", criticizing U.S. border control and immigration policies regarding separated children at the U.S.-Mexico border.

July 2021: Judge finds evidence of criminality in tax case

In July 2021, a Spanish judge determined that there was sufficient "evidence of criminality" to bring Shakira to trial on charges of tax fraud related to the period between 2012 and 2014.

2021: Condemns Violence During Colombian Protests

In 2021, Shakira condemned the violence during the Colombian protests and urged President Iván Duque to stop human rights violations.

2021: Pandora Papers reveal offshore companies

In 2021, the Pandora Papers revealed that Shakira had submitted applications for three offshore companies in 2019, but her representatives stated these were to dissolve existing companies with no income or activity.

July 2022: Refusal of settlement offer

In July 2022, Shakira refused a settlement offered by the Spanish Prosecution Ministry, opting to go to trial to prove her innocence in the tax fraud case. Prosecutors requested an eight-year prison sentence and a €23.8 million fine.

September 2022: Approval of tax fraud trial

On September 27, 2022, a Spanish judge approved the tax fraud trial against Shakira after prosecutors accused her of failing to pay €14.5 million in taxes. Shakira claimed she had already paid all owed amounts plus €3 million as interest.

November 2023: Settlement reached in tax fraud case

On November 20, 2023, at the commencement of the trial, Shakira reached a deal with prosecutors and settled the tax fraud case by paying a €7.5 million fine, citing her well-being and the interest of her children as factors in her decision.