Childhood and Education Journey of Shakira in Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Shakira, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known as the "Queen of Latin Music," is a highly influential Colombian singer-songwriter. She is celebrated for popularizing Hispanophone music globally, contributing to the increased use and learning of the Spanish language. Shakira has received numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards, with three of those being for Song of the Year, solidifying her impact and legacy in the music industry.

Sections (7)

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

February 1977: Shakira's Birth

On 2 February 1977, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her name means "thankful" in Arabic.

1985: Armero Tragedy Inspiration for 'El Oasis'

In 1994, Shakira starred in the Colombian TV series El Oasis, loosely based on the 1985 Armero tragedy.

1997: Founded Fundación Pies Descalzos

In 1997, Shakira founded Fundación Pies Descalzos (the Barefoot Foundation), a Colombian charity focused on building and maintaining schools for underprivileged children in Colombia.

1999: Fernando de la Rua's Presidency

In 1999, Fernando de la Rúa, the father of Shakira's future partner Antonio de la Rúa, became the president of Argentina.

2000: Relationship with Antonio de la Rúa Begins

In 2000, Shakira began a relationship with Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rúa, the son of former Argentine President Fernando de la Rúa.

2001: Devotion to The Beatles' music expressed in "Underneath Your Clothes"

According to Shakira, "Underneath Your Clothes", released in 2001, is where she shows her devotion to the Beatles' music.

2001: Engagement to Antonio de la Rúa

From 2001, Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa had been "engaged", though they did not get married.

July 2002: Shakira discusses her music and cultural fusion

In July 2002, Shakira spoke with Ted Kessler of The Observer about her music being a fusion of cultures and her desire to bridge gaps between them. She discussed her motivation for entering the English-speaking market and her hectic promotional schedule.

2002: Shakira Speaks about her Education

In 2002, Shakira gave an interview where she spoke about how she had been moved up in her class work ahead of her age and graduated from a convent secondary school when she was 15, but her professional involvement in music prevented her from continuing formal education.

2002: Shakira Discusses Future Plans

In 2002, Shakira stated that she didn't want to be jumping on stage when she's 40, and that she might want to get a farm and plant onions and tomatoes.

December 2006: Became a founding member of Latin America in Solidarity Action (ALAS) Foundation

In December 2006, Shakira became a founding member of Latin America in Solidarity Action (ALAS) Foundation, promoting integrated early childhood public policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

2006: Shakira Reclaims her image

In 2006, Shakira confessed to getting lost in a cloud of hairdressers and make-up artists for years, but declared then "reclaiming her image" and doing her own make-up.

2007: Studies at UCLA Begin

Shakira began studying the history of Western Civilization at UCLA between 2007 and 2009.

2009: Studies at UCLA Conclude

Between 2007 and 2009, Shakira studied the history of Western Civilization at UCLA.

2009: Article in The New York Times Magazine

In 2009, Scott Malcomson wrote an article in The New York Times Magazine describing Shakira's life as "relentless and unlikely" and commenting on her work ethics and feminine allure.

2009: Reflection on Public Life

In 2009, Shakira reflected on her life, noting that she doesn't know any other way of living than being in the public eye since a young age and that her family and friends remind her what's real.

2009: Shakira's Motivation

In 2009, Shakira reflected on her reasons for working hard, stating that in her early years, she wanted to bring joy to her parents and later to make her country proud. Eventually, she realized she was also doing it for herself.

2009: Shakira's View on Marriage

In a 2009 interview, Shakira expressed her unconventional views on marriage with Antonio de la Rúa, stating they lived as husband and wife without needing official validation.

June 2010: Meeting Gerard Piqué

In June 2010, Shakira first met Gerard Piqué, a Spanish football player, while shooting the music video for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

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August 2010: Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa Separate

Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa separated in August 2010, although this was publicly announced in January 2011.

October 2010: Made controversial comments regarding gypsies to French President Nicolas Sarkozy

In October 2010, in the Spanish edition of GQ magazine, Shakira stated "we are all gypsies" to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, expressing concern about the treatment of gypsies and advocating for human rights.

January 2011: Announcement of Separation from Antonio de la Rúa

On January 10, 2011, Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa jointly announced their decision to take time apart from their romantic relationship, effective since August 2010, while maintaining their business partnership.

October 2011: Business Partnership with de la Rúa Ends

In October 2011, Shakira terminated her business partnership with Antonio de la Rúa, leading to a subsequent lawsuit from him in April 2013 for $100 million, which was eventually dismissed in August 2013.

September 2012: Civil Litigation by de la Rúa

In September 2012, Antonio de la Rúa's civil litigation against Shakira was first reported following their separation in August 2010 and business partnership termination in October 2011.

2012: Album Release Postponement Due to Pregnancy

In 2012, Shakira originally intended to release a new album, but the plans were postponed due to her pregnancy, changing the artist's career trajectory.

2012: Tax Evasion Allegations

Shakira was investigated for allegedly failing to pay taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014. Spanish authorities initiated this investigation in 2017.

January 2013: Birth of First Son, Milan

On January 22, 2013, Shakira gave birth to her first son, Milan, with Gerard Piqué.

April 2013: De la Rúa's Lawsuit

In April 2013, Antonio de la Rúa filed a $100 million lawsuit against Shakira in California, claiming he was owed the money after she ended their business partnership and his services in October 2011. This lawsuit was dismissed in August 2013.

August 2013: Dismissal of de la Rúa's Lawsuit

In August 2013, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed Antonio de la Rúa's $100 million lawsuit against Shakira, which he had filed in April 2013 after their business partnership ended in October 2011. Other lawsuits filed by de la Rúa were also unsuccessful.

2014: Tax Evasion Allegations

Shakira was investigated for allegedly failing to pay taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014. Spanish authorities initiated this investigation in 2017.

January 2015: Birth of Second Son, Sasha

On January 29, 2015, Shakira gave birth to her second son, Sasha, with Gerard Piqué.

November 2017: Named in Paradise Papers

In November 2017, Shakira was named in the Paradise Papers, which revealed her sole shareholder status in a Malta-based company used to transfer over $30 million in music rights.

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, as revealed in the Pandora Papers in 2021.

2020: Completion of Ancient Philosophy Course

In 2020, Shakira announced her completion of an ancient philosophy course through the University of Pennsylvania, describing it as an impractical hobby.

January 2021: Sale of Song Catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Fund

In January 2021, Shakira sold her catalog of 145 songs to Hipgnosis Songs Fund, following a trend among top musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 2021: Trial Ordered for Tax Fraud

In July 2021, a Spanish judge ruled that there was sufficient evidence to bring Shakira to trial on charges of tax fraud, stemming from allegations that she failed to pay taxes in Spain between 2012 and 2014.

2021: Pandora Papers Revelation

In 2021, the Pandora Papers revealed that Shakira had submitted applications for three offshore companies in 2019.

June 2022: Announcement of Separation from Piqué

In June 2022, after 12 years together, Shakira and Gerard Piqué announced their separation in a joint statement.

March 2024: Release of "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran"

In March 2024, Shakira released "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran", an album born out of her breakup with Gerard Piqué, which was seven years in the making. The album showcases a stunning transformation and features a variety of moods and genres.

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December 2024: Osvaldo Ríos Speaks of Past Relationship

In December 2024, Puerto Rican actor Osvaldo Ríos discussed his past relationship with Shakira, which began when she was 20 and he was 36. He mentioned the emotional and spiritual connection they shared and identified "Moscas en la Casa" and "Tú" as songs inspired by their bond.

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June 2025: Tour Date Postponement

In June 2025, Shakira's show in the Los Angeles area was postponed to August due to civil unrest related to immigration policies and enforcement in the vicinity.