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 Shakira, is a highly influential Colombian singer-songwriter. She is celebrated for her global popularization of Hispanophone music and significant impact on the Latin American music scene. A multi-award-winning artist, Shakira has received four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards, including three Song of the Year wins, solidifying her status as a prominent figure 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

In February 1977, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born. Known mononymously as Shakira, she is a Colombian singer-songwriter who has significantly impacted the musical landscape of Latin America and popularized Hispanophone music globally.

February 1977: Shakira's Birth in Barranquilla, Colombia

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on 2 February 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her name means "thankful" in Arabic. She is the only child of William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll Torrado.

1985: Armero Tragedy

In 1985, the Armero tragedy occurred. The Colombian TV series "El Oasis", in which Shakira starred from 1994 to 1997, was loosely based on the 1985 Armero tragedy.

1997: Founding of Pies Descalzos Foundation

In 1997, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, a Colombian charity that provides education and meals for 4,000 poor children across Colombia.

1999: MTV Unplugged concert broadcast in Spanish

In 1999, Shakira's MTV Unplugged concert became the first 'unplugged' episode to be broadcast entirely in Spanish, marking her major breakthrough in the U.S. music market. It was the first time a Latin performance and a Latina solo act were featured in the series.

1999: MTV Unplugged performance

In 1999, Shakira's MTV Unplugged performance marked a stylistic shift in her appearance. She began experimenting with blond hair. Shakira explained that she wasn't trying to appeal to an American audience by becoming blonde but simply thought her curls looked cool with a blonde, beachy style.

2001: Shakira Reveals Rock Music Influence

In 2001, Shakira released 'Underneath Your Clothes', revealing her love for the music of The Beatles. She also cited Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Nirvana, The Police, The Cure, and Aerosmith as rock bands she listened to heavily in her youth. Additionally, she mentioned Madonna, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Marc Anthony, and Van Morrison as influences, and identified Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy the Silence' as sparking her passion for music.

2001: Shakira comments on fusion.

In 2001, Shakira told the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo that musical fusion offered her the opportunity to remove any type of label people wanted to place on her.

2001: Dramatic Change in Stage Appearance and Style at Roseland Ballroom

In 2001, between Shakira's MTV Unplugged (1999) and Roseland Ballroom Manhattan shows, her stage appearance and style changed dramatically. To Ted Kessler of The Observer (2002), Shakira "did look like a Latino Britney", with her "all bleached blonde curls" and a "tiny 5ft frame", "but as soon as she opened her mouth, she slipped into gear and motored powerfully past Britney's breathy bump'n'grind".

2001: Release of First English Material

In late 2001, Shakira released her first English material, leading to instant pop sensation status due to her unique poetic sense and captivating video image featuring belly dance moves.

July 2002: Shakira Discusses Cultural Fusion

In July 2002, Shakira spoke to Ted Kessler of The Observer about cultural fusion and her 'anthropological mission' to build bridges between cultures, explaining her motivation for entering the English-speaking market. She also described her promotional schedule, which Kessler noted was a tiring 'promotional treadmill'.

2002: Shakira's comments on becoming like Madonna.

In 2002, Shakira commented on being compared to Madonna, stating that she did not want to be jumping on the stage at 40 and might prefer to get a farm and plant onions and tomatoes.

2002: Comparison to Britney Spears

In 2002, according to Ted Kessler of The Observer, Shakira "did look like a Latino Britney", with her "all bleached blonde curls" and a "tiny 5ft frame", "but as soon as she opened her mouth, she slipped into gear and motored powerfully past Britney's breathy bump'n'grind".

December 2006: Founding Member of ALAS Foundation

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

2006: Shakira Reclaims Her Image

In 2006, Shakira declared that she was "reclaiming her image" and doing her own make-up. She confessed that she had been "getting lost in a cloud of hairdressers, make-up artists and assistants" for years but now prefers to handle her own appearance.

2007: Studies at UCLA

In 2007, Shakira began studying the history of Western Civilization at UCLA.

2009: Studies at UCLA

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

August 2010: Separation from de la Rúa

In August 2010, Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa separated after 11 years together, describing it as a mutual decision to take time apart.

September 2012: News of lawsuit

In September 2012, it was first reported that Antonio de la Rúa sued Shakira, asking for $100 million.

2012: Album Release Postponed Due to Pregnancy

In 2012, Shakira originally intended to release a new album, but plans were postponed due to her pregnancy.

January 2013: Birth of First Son, Milan

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

April 2013: De la Rúa Sues Shakira

In April 2013, Antonio de la Rúa sued Shakira for $100 million, claiming he was owed after she terminated their business partnership.

August 2013: Lawsuit Dismissed

In August 2013, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed Antonio de la Rúa's $100 million lawsuit against Shakira.

January 2015: Birth of Second Son, Sasha

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

November 2018: Speaks Against Education Budget Cuts

On November 2, 2018, during a visit to Barranquilla, Shakira spoke against the Colombian government's intentions to reduce the national education budget, advocating for increased investment in education.

May 2020: Donation to Combat COVID-19

In May 2020, Shakira donated over 50,000 face masks and ten respirators to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in her hometown of Barranquilla.

2020: Ancient Philosophy Course

In 2020, Shakira announced her completion of an ancient philosophy course through the University of Pennsylvania.

January 2021: Sale of Song Catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Fund

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

2021: Condemns Violence During Colombian Protests

During the 2021 Colombian protests, Shakira condemned the violence and asked President Iván Duque Márquez to stop human rights violations.

June 2022: Separation from Gerard Piqué

In June 2022, Shakira and Gerard Piqué confirmed their separation after being together for 11 years.

March 2024: Release of Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran album

In March 2024, Shakira released 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran' after seven years. The 16-song collection was inspired by her breakup with Gerard Piqué, transforming her emotional pain into music. The album explores diverse genres such as Afrobeats in "Nassau", bachata in "Monotonía", and Tex-Mex rhythms in "(Entre Paréntesis)". "Cómo Dónde y Cuándo" marks a return to Shakira's rock roots.

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December 2024: Rescheduling of North American Tour Dates

In December 2024, the U.S.–Canada part of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, originally scheduled for November and December 2024, was rescheduled to follow the Latin American leg, due to demand for larger stadium venues in the U.S.

February 2025: Partnership with Hard Rock International

On February 27, 2025, Shakira and Hard Rock International announced a year-long partnership to uplift women, with the Hard Rock Heals Foundation donating $250,000 to Shakira's Pies Descalzos Foundation.

March 2025: Gerard Piqué's Relocation to Miami

According to a ¡Hola! magazine report from March 10, 2025, Gerard Piqué relocated to Miami to be with his and Shakira's sons during her tour, and the boys joined their mother, Shakira, in South America.