Shakira Edad is a Colombian singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer whose multilingual career has made her one of Latin music’s most internationally recognized performers. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, she first achieved commercial success with the 1995 album Pies Descalzos.

Her international profile expanded with Laundry Service in 2001. The album produced “Whenever, Wherever,” while later recordings such as “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” and “Chantaje” reinforced her position in the global pop market.

Alongside music, Shakira has worked in television, animation, live entertainment, and education advocacy. Her career includes Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, major international performances, and philanthropic work through Fundación Pies Descalzos and UNICEF.

Who Is Tammy Franklin? Family, Media Career, and Women’s Advocacy

Profile Summary

Early Life and Background

Shakira Edad was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, a city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. She is the daughter of William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll Torrado. Her family background includes Colombian and Lebanese heritage.

She demonstrated an interest in writing and performance during childhood. At four, she wrote a poem titled “The Crystal Rose.” She later began composing songs and participating in school performances, where her singing and dancing attracted attention.

Her paternal Lebanese heritage also introduced her to Middle Eastern music and dance. Elements of that influence would later appear in her movement, stage presentation, and recordings such as “Ojos Así.”

Shakira signed a recording agreement with Sony Music Colombia as a teenager. Her first two albums, Magia in 1991 and Peligro in 1993, received limited commercial attention. However, the experience allowed her to begin developing her songwriting and recording style.

Career and Professional Journey

Breakthrough With Pies Descalzos

Shakira Edad achieved her major commercial breakthrough with Pies Descalzos in 1995. The album combined Latin pop and rock with personal songwriting and produced songs including “Estoy Aquí,” “Antología,” and “Se Quiere, Se Mata.”

Its success established her across Latin America and other Spanish-speaking markets. It also marked the beginning of her long-term public identity as a singer who wrote or co-wrote much of her material.

Her 1998 album, Dónde Están los Ladrones?, expanded that success. The record included “Ciega, Sordomuda,” “Inevitable,” “Tú,” and “Ojos Así.” Its production and songwriting strengthened her reputation within Latin pop and rock.

Shakira subsequently recorded an MTV Unplugged performance. The accompanying album earned her first Grammy Award and helped introduce her work to a broader North American audience.

English-Language Crossover

In 2001, Shakira Edad released Laundry Service, her first predominantly English-language album. Its lead single, “Whenever, Wherever,” became an international hit and reached the top 10 in the United States.

“Underneath Your Clothes” also performed strongly in multiple markets. Although the project targeted an expanded international audience, it retained elements of Latin pop, rock, and Middle Eastern-influenced music.

The success of Laundry Service made Shakira Edad a prominent bilingual crossover artist. She continued recording in both Spanish and English rather than abandoning her original Spanish-language audience.

Fijación Oral, Oral Fixation, and “Hips Don’t Lie”

Shakira returned with two connected projects in 2005: the Spanish-language Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 and the English-language Oral Fixation, Vol. 2.

Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 included “La Tortura,” a collaboration with Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz. The album later received the Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album.

The 2006 single “Hips Don’t Lie,” featuring Wyclef Jean, became Shakira’s first number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of the most widely recognized recordings of her career.

World Cup Music and Later Albums

After releasing She Wolf in 2009, Shakira Edad recorded “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The song became closely associated with the tournament and developed a lasting international audience.

Her 2010 album Sale el Sol combined pop, rock, and Latin dance styles. Its songs included “Loca,” “Rabiosa,” and the title track.

In 2014, she released the self-titled album Shakira. The project featured “Can’t Remember to Forget You,” recorded with Rihanna, and “La La La (Brazil 2014),” which was associated with the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Shakira also appeared as a coach on the American version of The Voice. Her participation introduced her to another television audience while she continued recording and touring.

Zootopia and El Dorado

In 2016, Shakira voiced Gazelle in Disney’s animated film Zootopia. She also performed “Try Everything” for the film’s soundtrack.

Her 2017 album El Dorado included collaborations with several Latin artists. Its notable recordings included “Chantaje” and “Trap” with Maluma, as well as “La Bicicleta” with Carlos Vives.

El Dorado received the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. The album also demonstrated the commercial reach of contemporary Spanish-language pop in the United States and other international markets.

Super Bowl LIV and Recent Music

On February 2, 2020, Shakira Edad and Jennifer Lopez co-headlined the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in Miami Gardens, Florida. The performance incorporated songs from both artists and included appearances by J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

Shakira’s subsequent releases included “Te Felicito” with Rauw Alejandro, “Monotonía” with Ozuna, “TQG” with Karol G, and “Shakira Edad: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Argentine producer Bizarrap.

These songs appeared on or were connected to Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, released in 2024. The album received the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.

She launched the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour in 2025. That year, she also returned as the voice of Gazelle in Zootopia 2 and performed the original song “Zoo” for the film.

Children and Personal Life

Shakira Edad publicly confirmed her relationship with Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué in 2011. Although they were long-term partners, they did not marry.

Their first son, Milan Piqué Mebarak, was born on January 22, 2013. Their second son, Sasha Piqué Mebarak, was born on January 29, 2015.

Shakira and Piqué announced their separation in 2022. Public discussion about their relationship has often extended beyond confirmed information, but reliable biographical coverage is limited to their acknowledged partnership, children, and separation.

Major Achievements and Recognition

Recording Academy records list four Grammy Awards for Shakira Edad. Her winning projects are MTV Unplugged, Fijación Oral, Vol. 1, El Dorado, and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.

She has also received 15 Latin Grammy Awards. In 2011, the Latin Recording Academy named her Person of the Year in recognition of her musical career and philanthropic work.

Her chart achievements include the number-one success of “Hips Don’t Lie” and the international popularity of “Whenever, Wherever,” “Waka Waka,” and several Spanish-language singles. Her sustained work in both English and Spanish has contributed to the international growth of Latin pop.

Shakira’s career also extends beyond conventional album releases. She has performed at FIFA World Cup events, co-headlined a Super Bowl halftime show, worked as a television coach, and voiced a recurring character in Disney’s Zootopia films.

Her public service has focused primarily on education and early childhood development. She founded Fundación Pies Descalzos to support educational programs for children in Colombia.

UNICEF appointed her a Goodwill Ambassador in 2003. Her advocacy has addressed access to education, childhood development, nutrition, and support for disadvantaged communities. In 2017, the World Economic Forum presented her with its Crystal Award for humanitarian work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shakira’s full name?

Shakira’s full name is Shakira Edad Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. She has used her first name professionally throughout her recording career. She was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and her family background includes Colombian and Lebanese heritage.

How old is Shakira Edad?

Shakira Edad is 49 years old as of July 2026. She was born on February 2, 1977. Her astrological sign is Aquarius, although this detail has no connection to her professional career or musical achievements.

What are Shakira’s most famous songs?

Her most widely recognized songs include “Whenever, Wherever,” “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” “La Tortura,” and “Chantaje.” Earlier Spanish-language songs such as “Estoy Aquí,” “Inevitable,” and “Ojos Así” were also important to her career.

How many children does Shakira Edad have?

Shakira Edad has two sons with her former partner Gerard Piqué. Milan Piqué Mebarak was born in January 2013, while Sasha Piqué Mebarak was born in January 2015. Shakira and Piqué announced their separation in 2022.

How many Grammy Awards has Shakira won?

Shakira Edad has won four Grammy Awards. Her winning recordings include MTV Unplugged, Fijación Oral, Vol. 1, El Dorado, and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. She has also received 15 Latin Grammy Awards for her Spanish-language work.

Conclusion

Shakira Edad developed from a young songwriter in Barranquilla into an internationally established recording artist. Her breakthrough with Pies Descalzos, crossover success with Laundry Service, and later hits such as “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waka Waka” defined different stages of her career.

Her verified achievements include four Grammy Awards, 15 Latin Grammy Awards, major global performances, and successful recordings in Spanish and English. Beyond music, she is the mother of two sons and an advocate for education through Fundación Pies Descalzos and UNICEF.