Shakira's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Shakira. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a highly influential Colombian singer-songwriter. She is celebrated for her global popularization of Hispanophone music. Her contributions to music have been recognized with numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards, among which are three Song of the Year wins.
October 1995: Release of 'Pies Descalzos'
In October 1995, Shakira's album 'Pies Descalzos' was released, reaching number five on the U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
1995: Breakthrough with 'Pies Descalzos'
In 1995, Shakira rose to prominence with her album 'Pies Descalzos', marking a turning point in her career after her first two albums.
August 1996: 'Pies Descalzos' Certified Platinum in the U.S.
In August 1996, the RIAA certified Shakira's album 'Pies Descalzos' platinum status in the U.S.
1997: Billboard Latin Music Awards and Album Success
In 1997, Shakira received three Billboard Latin Music Awards for Album of the Year for Pies Descalzos, Video of the Year for "Estoy Aqui", and Best New Artist. 'Pies Descalzos' sold over 5 million copies.
September 1998: Release of 'Dónde Están los Ladrones?'
In September 1998, Shakira's fourth studio album 'Dónde Están los Ladrones?' was released, becoming an even bigger worldwide hit than 'Pies Descalzos'.
August 2000: MTV Video Music Award Win
In August 2000, Shakira won an MTV Video Music Award in the category of People's Choice – Favorite International Artist for "Ojos Así".
September 2000: Latin Grammy Awards Performance and Nominations
In September 2000, Shakira performed "Ojos Así" at the inaugural ceremony of the Latin Grammy Awards, where she was nominated in five categories.
August 2001: Release of "Whenever, Wherever" / "Suerte"
At the end of August 2001, "Whenever, Wherever" (English) / "Suerte" (Spanish) was released as the lead single from Shakira's first album intended for an English-speaking audience.
2001: Success of Laundry Service
By the time she released Laundry Service in 2001, Shakira had already sold 10 million albums in Latin America, according to Billboard.
2001: English-Language Market Entry with 'Laundry Service'
In 2001, Shakira entered the English-language market with her fifth album, 'Laundry Service', achieving significant international success.
2002: Success of 'Laundry Service' album
In 2002, despite initial criticism, Shakira's 'Laundry Service' became the best-selling album of the year, selling over 15 million copies worldwide and solidifying her position as a leading Latin crossover artist.
June 2005: Release of 'Fijación Oral, vol. 1'
In June 2005, Shakira's 'Fijación Oral, vol. 1' was released to great success, becoming the highest U.S. debut for a Spanish-language album and earning numerous certifications in Latin America.
February 2006: Grammy Award for 'Fijación Oral, vol. 1'
On 8 February 2006, Shakira won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album for 'Fijación Oral, vol. 1'.
April 2006: Honored at UN ceremony
On April 3, 2006, Shakira was honored at a UN ceremony for creating the Pies Descalzos Foundation, recognizing her commitment to children's education.
November 2006: Latin Grammy Awards
In November 2006, Shakira received four Latin Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for 'La Tortura', as well as Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 'Fijación Oral, vol. 1'.
2006: "Hips Don't Lie" Recognition
In 2006, "Hips Don't Lie" was selected as one of the greatest songs by 21st-century female artists by National Public Radio.
February 2007: Grammy Awards Performance
In February 2007, Shakira performed at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards and was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals for 'Hips Don't Lie' with Wyclef Jean.
April 2007: Success of 'Beautiful Liar' Collaboration
In April 2007, Shakira's collaboration with Beyoncé on 'Beautiful Liar' achieved significant chart success, setting a record for the largest upward movement on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time.
2008: Forbes Ranking and Live Nation Contract
In early 2008, Forbes ranked Shakira as the fourth top-earning female artist, and she signed a contract with Live Nation Entertainment.
March 2010: Awarded medal by UN International Labour Organization
In March 2010, Shakira received a medal from the UN International Labour Organization, recognized as a "true ambassador for children and young people, for quality education and social justice".
November 2010: Received MTV Free Your Mind award
In November 2010, Shakira received the MTV Free Your Mind award for her dedication to improving access to education for all children around the world, following her performance at the MTV European Music Awards.
2010: MTV Free Your Mind Award
In 2010, Shakira received the 2010 Free Your Mind MTV award for her involvement with the World Cup campaigns and philanthropic work.
November 2011: Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year
On 9 November 2011, Shakira was honored as Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for her artistic achievements and philanthropic undertakings.
2011: Awards and Appointments in 2011
In 2011, Shakira received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year awards. She was also appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the United States.
2011: Awards and Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2011, Shakira was honored as Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Cultural Rhythms Artist of the Year, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2011: Latin Grammy Awards
In 2011, Shakira's album "Sale el Sol" was nominated for "Album of the Year" and won "Best Female Pop Vocal Album" at the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony.
2012: Chevalier De L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
In 2012, Shakira received the honor of Chevalier De L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
2012: Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters
In 2012, Shakira was appointed Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.
August 2013: Dismissal of lawsuit
In August 2013, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge dismissed the $100 million lawsuit filed against Shakira by Antonio de la Rúa.
2013: Forbes Ranking
In 2013, Forbes ranked Shakira on their list of "Top 100 World's Most Powerful Women" at number 52.
April 2014: Hero Award at Radio Disney Music Awards
On 27 April 2014, Shakira was honored with the Hero Award at the Radio Disney Music Awards for her Fundación Pies Descalzos work.
2014: FIFA World Cup Performance and New Species Named
In 2014, Shakira became the first musical act to perform three times at the FIFA World Cup, and a new species of parasitic wasp, Aleiodes shakirae, was named after her.
2015: Time's Most Influential People on Social Media
In 2015, Time recognized Shakira as one of the most influential people on social media, highlighting her philanthropy.
2016: Zootopia's Box Office Success
In 2016, Zootopia, featuring Shakira as Gazelle, opened to record-breaking box office success and grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
January 2018: Grammy Award for El Dorado
In January 2018, Shakira won her third Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album for El Dorado.
2020: Spotify and Vevo Records
In 2020, Shakira achieved several milestones, including being the first female artist with 4 songs from different decades to have over 100 million streams on Spotify and breaking the Vevo Certified Awards record.
2020: Recipient of the 2020 Global Literacy Award
In 2020, The World Literacy Foundation announced Shakira as the recipient of the Global Literacy Award for her significant contribution to the improvement of literacy for disadvantaged children around the world.
December 2021: Most Influential Female Artist Recognition
In December 2021, Shakira was named by Kiss FM as one of the most influential female artists of the 21st century.
2022: MTV's Most Influential Women in Music
In 2022, MTV included Shakira in the list of "The Most Influential Women in the History of Music", being the only Latina on the list.
November 2023: Settlement in tax fraud case
On November 20, 2023, Shakira settled the tax fraud case by paying a €7.5 million fine, citing her well-being and the impact on her children as factors influencing her decision.
February 2025: Grammy Award and Hospitalization
In February 2025, Shakira received the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album and dedicated it to immigrants. Later that month, she was hospitalized, leading to the cancellation of a show in Peru.
