Shakira, the Colombian-born international pop sensation, has a net worth of $300 million. As a multi-talented artist, she excels as a singer, songwriter, producer, belly dancer, and philanthropist. Over her illustrious career, Shakira has sold more than 125 million albums and singles globally, establishing herself as one of the most successful female singers of all time. She is recognized as the second most successful Latina artist ever, following Gloria Estefan, and holds the distinction of being the highest-selling Colombian singer to date.
Shakira’s remarkable achievements include winning three Grammy Awards, thirteen Latin Grammy Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, and seven Billboard Music Awards, among many others. She has also earned thirty-nine Billboard Latin Music Awards and a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2009, Billboard named her the Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade. Additionally, Shakira is the most-streamed Latin artist on Spotify and one of only three female artists to have two YouTube videos each surpassing two billion views.
Shakira’s international breakthrough came with her 2001 album “Laundry Service,” which marked her transition into the English-language music market. This album produced chart-topping hits like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes,” selling over 20 million copies worldwide. Following this success, Shakira continued to dominate both the Spanish and English-language music scenes, with her albums consistently topping charts and earning gold, platinum, multi-platinum, or diamond certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America.
Shakira’s Landmark Deal with Live Nation
In 2008, Shakira signed an impressive ten-year, $300 million contract with Live Nation. This deal further cemented her stature in the music industry and represented a significant milestone in her career, as it guaranteed her a substantial income from her performances, tours, and other commercial activities.
The Sale of Shakira’s Catalog Rights
In January 2021, Shakira made a strategic move by selling the rights to her extensive music catalog to Hipgnosis Songs Fund. The sale included the publishing rights to roughly 145 of her songs. While the terms of the deal were not made public, experts estimate its value to be at least $100 million, based on similar transactions in the industry.
Shakira’s Early Life: The Foundation of a Superstar
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her name, Shakira, originates from Arabic and means “grateful.” She is the only child of William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll Torrado. Shakira’s paternal grandparents immigrated from Lebanon to New York City, where her father was born. When he was five, he moved to Colombia. Shakira’s mother’s side of the family is Spanish (Catalan and Castilian) and Italian. She was raised Roman Catholic and attended Catholic schools.
Shakira had eight older half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage. Growing up, she spent most of her childhood in Barranquilla, a vibrant city on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast. At the age of four, Shakira wrote her first poem, “La Rosa De Cristal (The Crystal Rose).” Inspired by her father’s writing on a typewriter, Shakira asked for her own when she was seven, which became the starting point of her lifelong passion for poetry and music.
At the age of four, Shakira was introduced to Middle Eastern music at a local restaurant, where her father took her to hear the rhythmic doumbek drum. This experience left a lasting impression, leading Shakira to develop an interest in belly dancing. By the time she was in school, she had earned the nickname “belly dancer girl” for showcasing her new dance skills. Despite her love for singing, Shakira struggled to get into her school choir because her vibrato was considered too strong, and her music teacher even compared her voice to that of a goat.
Shakira’s early school years were also marked by her battles with ADHD, which led to frequent disciplinary actions for her hyperactivity. However, her talents did not go unnoticed in her community. Between the ages of 10 and 13, Shakira began performing at local events in Barranquilla. Her breakthrough came when she met local theater producer Monica Ariza, who helped her get a chance to audition for Sony Colombia. After a successful audition, Shakira secured a three-record deal with Sony Colombia.
Shakira’s Rise to Stardom
Shakira’s debut album, Magia, released in June 1991, was a collection of songs she had written since she was eight years old. Though the album gained her some exposure on Colombian radio, it was not commercially successful, with only 1,200 copies sold worldwide. Her second album, Peligro (1993), met a similar fate.
However, success started to build with Pies Descalzos (1995) and Donde Estan los Ladrones. (1998), both of which were major hits in Spanish-speaking countries. Shakira broke into the global market with her album Laundry Service (2001), which became an international sensation. The album sold over 20 million copies and produced chart-topping hits like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes.”
Shakira’s later albums, such as Fijacion Oral, Vol. 1 (2005), Sale el Sol (2010), and El Dorado (2017), continued to showcase her unique blend of Latin pop and rock influences. Her English-language albums, including Oral Fixation Vol. 2 (2005), She Wolf (2009), and Shakira (2014), also received critical and commercial success.
In 2022, Shakira was honored with the Special International Award at the Ivor Novello Awards in recognition of her contributions as one of the world’s most influential songwriters and musicians. She also served as a coach on the U.S. television series The Voice for two seasons, showcasing her expertise and influence in the music industry.
Shakira’s Personal Life: Love, Family, and Philanthropy
Shakira’s personal life has been just as eventful as her career. She had an 11-year relationship with Argentine attorney Antonio de la Rua, which lasted from 2000 to 2011. The two never married, but in 2009, Shakira referred to their relationship as being just like a marriage. After their split, de la Rua continued to manage her business and career interests. He later sued Shakira for $100 million, claiming he was owed money after their business partnership ended, but the lawsuit was dismissed in 2013.
In 2011, Shakira began dating Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, who played for FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The couple met in 2010 when Piqué appeared in Shakira’s music video for “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Shakira and Gerard have two sons, Milan (born 2013) and Sasha (born 2015). Unfortunately, the couple announced their separation in 2022.
Shakira has long been passionate about giving back to those in need. Inspired by her childhood visits to a park where she saw orphans, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation to help underprivileged children in Colombia. Her commitment to social causes continues to be a central aspect of her life and career.
Legal Challenges and Tax Issues
Shakira faced legal difficulties in 2017 when she was named in the Paradise Papers for transferring $30 million in music rights through a company in the Bahamas. Spanish authorities later investigated Shakira’s finances, accusing her of owing taxes on income earned between 2012 and 2014. Shakira insisted she had paid what she owed, plus interest, but in September 2023, prosecutors charged her with failing to pay $7.1 million in taxes for her 2018 earnings.
In November 2023, Shakira reached a settlement with Spanish tax authorities, acknowledging six charges of tax fraud totaling $16 million. As part of the settlement, Shakira avoided jail time but agreed to serve a three-year suspended sentence and pay an $8 million fine.
Shakira’s Real Estate Portfolio
Shakira’s real estate ventures reflect her success and lifestyle. In 2018, she listed her luxurious Miami mansion for $11.6 million. The 20,726-square-foot property on North Bay Road offers stunning views of Biscayne Bay and features six bedrooms, seven and a half bathrooms, and over 100 feet of waterfront access.
After her split from Piqué, Shakira sold their $16 million Barcelona home and moved back to Miami with her children. She reportedly rents a $15 million waterfront property while she searches for a new mega-mansion, which could cost upwards of $50 million. Shakira also owns a residence in the Bahamas.
