Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, widely known as Shakira, was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. She comes from a diverse background, with her mother, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, being of Spanish and Italian descent, and her father, William Alberto Mebarak Chadid, a Lebanese immigrant.

Shakira’s musical journey began at an early age; she started writing songs when she was just eight years old and signed her first record deal at thirteen. She gained attention in Colombia with her debut album Magia (1990), but it was her 1995 album Pies Descalzos and the follow-up ¿Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998) that brought her international recognition as one of Latin America’s biggest music stars.

In 2001, Shakira crossed over into the English-speaking world with Laundry Service, which included the massive hit “Whenever, Wherever.” She solidified her global presence with chart-topping songs like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” Over the course of her career, Shakira has earned an impressive number of accolades, including four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards.

In 2025, she launched her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour, taking her music across the globe. Kicking off in Monterrey, Mexico, the tour continued through Guadalajara and Mexico City, where she performed a mix of her classic hits and fresh tracks, connecting with fans old and new. Shakira’s career continues to inspire and captivate millions worldwide.