Discover Shakira’s family, including her parents, siblings, husband, children, career achievements, and her journey to becoming a global music icon.
Shakira’s Family: Meet Shakira’s Parents, Husband and Children
Shakira is one of the world’s most celebrated singers, renowned for her distinctive voice, electrifying performances, and record-breaking success in Latin and international pop music. Beyond her music career, she is a devoted mother and philanthropist whose family has played an important role in shaping her life and career.
Although she has spent decades in the global spotlight, Shakira has remained deeply connected to her roots and often speaks about the influence of her parents and the importance of family. Here’s everything you need to know about Shakira’s family.
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Shakira’s Parents
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, to William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado.
Her father, William Mebarak Chadid, is of Lebanese descent and worked as a writer and jeweller. He encouraged Shakira’s love for literature and music from an early age. His Middle Eastern heritage also inspired Shakira’s famous belly dancing style, which has become one of her trademarks.
Her mother, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, is Colombian and has been one of Shakira’s greatest supporters throughout her career. She stood by her daughter during the early years of her musical journey and continues to be an important figure in her life.
Shakira’s Siblings
Shakira is the only child born to William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado.
However, she has eight older half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage. Although they have largely stayed out of the public spotlight, Shakira has maintained close relationships with her extended family and often emphasizes the importance of family unity.
Shakira’s Husband
Shakira is not married. She was in a long-term relationship with former Spanish football star Gerard Piqué from 2011 to 2022. Although they spent more than a decade together and built a family, the couple never married.
Following their highly publicized separation in 2022, Shakira has focused on raising her children, expanding her music career, and pursuing new business and philanthropic projects. As of 2026, she has not remarried.
Shakira’s Children
Shakira has two sons with Gerard Piqué:
- Milan Piqué Mebarak, born on January 22, 2013
- Sasha Piqué Mebarak, born on January 29, 2015
Shakira frequently describes motherhood as her greatest accomplishment. She has spoken about how becoming a mother changed her outlook on life and inspired her to balance her international career with family responsibilities.
Her sons often accompany her on special occasions, and she has expressed her commitment to providing them with a loving and stable upbringing.
Shakira’s Career Achievements
Shakira has built one of the most successful careers in global music, earning numerous awards and breaking records throughout her career. Some of her most notable achievements include:
- Sold more than 95 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
- Won three Grammy Awards and multiple Latin Grammy Awards.
- Received numerous Billboard Latin Music Awards, American Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.
- Released global hit songs including Whenever, Wherever, Hips Don’t Lie, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), She Wolf, La Tortura, and Monotonía.
- Performed the official 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), one of the best-selling World Cup songs in history.
- Served as a coach on The Voice US, mentoring aspiring singers.
- Received recognition for her humanitarian work through the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which supports education for disadvantaged children.
- Honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and numerous lifetime achievement awards for her contribution to music.
These accomplishments have firmly established Shakira as one of the most influential Latin artists in history.
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Shakira’s Debut and International Career
Shakira began her professional music career as a teenager after signing her first recording contract with Sony Music Colombia. Although her first two albums, Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), achieved limited commercial success, they helped introduce her to the Latin music industry.
Her breakthrough came in 1995 with the release of Pies Descalzos, which became a major success across Latin America. She followed it with Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998), further establishing herself as one of Latin music’s brightest stars.
Shakira achieved worldwide fame in 2001 with her first English-language album, Laundry Service, featuring international hits such as Whenever, Wherever and Underneath Your Clothes. The album sold millions of copies and transformed her into a global superstar.
She continued her international success with albums including Oral Fixation, She Wolf, Sale el Sol, El Dorado, and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, producing numerous chart-topping singles and sold-out world tours.
Today, Shakira remains a global music icon whose career spans more than three decades. Her ability to blend Latin rhythms with pop, rock, and world music has earned her a devoted fan base across every continent, while her philanthropy and cultural influence continue to inspire millions around the world.
