10 surprising facts about Shakira that some people may not know
Introduction
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known simply as Shakira, is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer who has achieved worldwide fame for her unique blend of Latin, Arabic, and rock music. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia in 1977, Shakira began performing at a young age and released her first album, Magia, in 1991. Her breakthrough came in 1995 with the release of her third studio album, Pies Descalzos, which spawned several hit singles and established her as a rising star in the Latin music scene.
Over the course of her career, Shakira has sold over 70 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, thirteen Latin Grammy Awards, and several Billboard Music Awards. She is known for her powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence, and fusion of different musical styles.
In addition to her music career, Shakira is also a philanthropist and advocate for education, particularly for underprivileged children. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which provides education and nutrition to children in Colombia, and serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
Shakira has continued to evolve and innovate with each album release, and remains a beloved and influential figure in the music industry. Her unique sound, iconic dance moves, and charismatic personality have captivated fans all over the world and helped to make her one of the most successful and recognizable Latin artists of all time.
Early Life
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is the only child of William Mebarak Chadid, a Lebanese-American jewelry designer, and Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, a Colombian of Spanish-Italian descent. Shakira grew up in a multicultural household, where she was exposed to different languages and musical traditions from a young age.
Shakira’s love of music began at an early age, and she wrote her first song when she was only eight years old. She began performing in public at the age of 10 and was soon discovered by a local theater producer who helped her secure a recording contract with Sony Music.
Shakira’s first two albums, Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), were released when she was still a teenager and achieved limited success. However, it was her third album, Pies Descalzos (1995), that catapulted her to fame in Latin America. The album sold over five million copies and featured several hit singles, including “Estoy Aquí” and “Pies Descalzos, Sueños Blancos.”
Despite her early success, Shakira’s family struggled financially, and she often performed at local events to help support them. She has spoken openly about her difficult childhood, which included her parents’ divorce and her father’s struggle with bankruptcy. However, her experiences also inspired her music and helped to shape her as an artist.
Overall, Shakira’s early life was marked by a passion for music, a multicultural upbringing, and a drive to succeed despite the challenges she faced. These experiences would continue to influence her music and philanthropic work throughout her career.
Professional Life
Shakira’s professional career began in earnest with the release of her third studio album, Pies Descalzos, in 1995. The album was a huge commercial success in Latin America, and established Shakira as a rising star in the music industry. She followed up with several more successful albums, including Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998) and Laundry Service (2001), which featured the hit single “Whenever, Wherever” and became an international best-seller.
Shakira’s music is characterized by her unique blend of Latin, Arabic, and rock influences, and her powerful, distinctive vocals. She has experimented with different styles throughout her career, incorporating elements of reggae, hip-hop, and electronic music into her songs. Her energetic live performances, which often feature intricate dance routines, have also become a hallmark of her career.
In addition to her music career, Shakira is also a philanthropist and advocate for education. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation in 1997, which provides education and nutrition to children in Colombia, and has worked with organizations such as UNICEF to promote access to education around the world.
Throughout her career, Shakira has won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards, thirteen Latin Grammy Awards, and several Billboard Music Awards. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling Latin music artists of all time.
More recently, Shakira has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of her music, releasing the album El Dorado in 2017, which won her another Latin Grammy Award. She has also collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Beyoncé, Alejandro Sanz, and Carlos Vives. Her music and philanthropic work have made her a beloved and influential figure in the music industry and beyond.
Personal Life
Shakira’s personal life has been the subject of media attention throughout her career. She has been in several high-profile relationships and has two children with her partner, Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué.
Shakira and Piqué began dating in 2010, and have been together ever since. They have two sons, Milan and Sasha, who were born in 2013 and 2015, respectively. The couple has been known for their close relationship, with Shakira often sharing photos and videos of their family life on social media.
Prior to her relationship with Piqué, Shakira was in a long-term relationship with Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rúa, who also served as her manager for several years. The couple ended their relationship in 2011, and de la Rúa later filed a lawsuit against Shakira, claiming that he was entitled to a share of her earnings. The case was eventually dismissed.
Shakira has also been known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the area of education. She founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation in 1997, which provides education and nutrition to children in Colombia, and has worked with organizations such as UNICEF to promote access to education around the world.
In addition to her music and philanthropic work, Shakira has also been involved in activism on issues such as climate change and refugee rights. She has spoken out about the importance of protecting the environment, and has used her platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and displaced people.
Overall, Shakira’s personal life has been marked by her commitment to her family, her passion for philanthropy, and her willingness to speak out on important social issues.
Award Received
Shakira has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including:
3 Grammy Awards
13 Latin Grammy Awards
5 MTV Video Music Awards
2 MTV Europe Music Awards
1 World Music Award
1 Billboard Music Award
1 American Music Award
1 NRJ Music Award
1 People’s Choice Award
1 Premio Lo Nuestro Award
1 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award
In addition, Shakira has received several prestigious honors for her philanthropic work, including the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum in 2017 and the United Nations Humanitarian Award in 2011. She has also been recognized for her contributions to education and the arts, receiving an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Western Ontario in 2008 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.
Shakira’s numerous awards and honors reflect her impact and influence in the music industry and beyond, as well as her commitment to using her platform for social good.
Personality
As an individual, Shakira is known for her intelligence, creativity, and passion for philanthropy. She is a dedicated advocate for education, particularly for children in poverty, and has used her platform to raise awareness about important social issues such as climate change and refugee rights.
As an actor, Shakira has appeared in a few films, including “El Oasis” and “Love in the Time of Cholera.” While acting is not her primary focus, she has received praise for her performances and has shown her versatility as an artist.
As a performer, Shakira is known for her high-energy, dynamic live shows. Her performances often feature elaborate dance routines and engaging audience interaction, making her concerts a memorable experience for her fans.
As a family person, Shakira is very close with her partner Gerard Piqué and their two children, Milan and Sasha. She often shares photos and videos of their family life on social media and has spoken publicly about the challenges of balancing her career with motherhood. Shakira has stated that her family is her top priority and that she values spending time with them above all else.
Overall, Shakira is a multi-talented artist who is respected for her creativity, intelligence, and commitment to social causes. Her many talents, including her music, philanthropy, and acting, have made her a beloved figure in the entertainment world and beyond.
10 surprising facts about Shakira
Sure, here are 10 surprising facts about Shakira that some people may not know :
► Shakira has a genius-level IQ of 140, which puts her in the top 0.1% of the population in terms of intelligence.
► She is fluent in four languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, and Arabic.
► Shakira is also an accomplished belly dancer and often incorporates the dance form into her music videos and live performances.
► Her first name, Shakira, means “grateful” in Arabic.
► Shakira is a trained gymnast and has performed acrobatic stunts in her music videos and live shows.
► She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has worked to promote access to education and health care for children in developing countries.
► In addition to her music career, Shakira has also written two books, including “Shakira: Oral Fixation” which is a collection of her lyrics and poetry.
► She was the first person to reach 100 million followers on Facebook.
► Shakira has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but it is not located in the music category. Instead, it is in the category of recording, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the recording industry.
► In 2020, Shakira was awarded the Global Humanitarian Award by the United Nations Foundation in recognition of her philanthropic work and activism on issues such as education, health, and climate change.
FAQ
How did Shakira get famous?
Shakira’s professional career began in earnest with the release of her third studio album, Pies Descalzos, in 1995. The album was a huge commercial success in Latin America, and established Shakira as a rising star in the music industry. She followed up with several more successful albums, including Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998) and Laundry Service (2001), which featured the hit single “Whenever, Wherever” and became an international best-seller.
Shakira’s music is characterized by her unique blend of Latin, Arabic, and rock influences, and her powerful, distinctive vocals. She has experimented with different styles throughout her career, incorporating elements of reggae, hip-hop, and electronic music into her songs. Her energetic live performances, which often feature intricate dance routines, have also become a hallmark of her career.
What was Shakira’s first hit?
Shakira lands her first #1 hit on the Hot 100 when her single “Hips Don’t Lie,” featuring Wyclef Jean, reaches the top of the tally. Shakira’s third studio album, Pies Descalzos, in 1995 was a huge commercial success in Latin America, and established Shakira as a rising star in the music industry. She followed up with several more successful albums, including Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998) and Laundry Service (2001), which featured the hit single “Whenever, Wherever” and became an international best-seller.
How much is Shakira worth?
$300 million
Shakira is the world’s most popular singer and has a huge fan following. As we have seen throughout this article, Shakira’s net worth in 2023 is more than $300 million, it is the result of her hard work, dedication, and success in various areas, including music, business, real estate, and philanthropy.
10 surprising facts about Shakira
10 surprising facts about Shakira
10 surprising facts about Shakira
10 surprising facts about Shakira 10 surprising facts about Shakira 10 surprising facts about Shakira 10 surprising facts about Shakira 10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira10 surprising facts about Shakira