Shakira - 44: How the Colombian "lighter" lives and looks

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The rise of a star of Colombian show business Shakirs - a vivid example of the fact that real talent, hard work and perseverance will always make their way to the top of fame. There have been ups and downs in her life, happy periods and times of depression. However, the title "Woman of the Year", two Grammy statuettes, many victories at festivals and competitions rightfully allow her to be recognized as one of the most titled stars of show business.

The Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, choreographer and model is widely recognized as the most successful Latin American artist to achieve considerable heights on the musical Olympus. It should also be noted that Shakira stands out among her fellow musicians not only for her unique abilities, but also for his intelligence level, which is 140 units.

At the same time, curious viewers often ask themselves the question: what is the real age of an unfading and energetic Colombian woman, before whom the years have lost their count. They can really be identified solely by their passport, because now the star looks almost the same as in her 30s. It was by that time that she turned from a skinny girl into a sultry Latin American beauty, after whom even persistent men turned around. To this day, she has retained the same beautiful figure, even despite the fact that during this time she became the mother of two sons.

Childhood

Shakira was born in February 1977 in the port town of Barranquilla, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. The full name sounds like Shakira Isabel Merabak Ripoll. “Shakira” in translation from Arabic means “full grace”, and from Hindi it means “goddess of light”. The star's father, William Merabac Shadid, is Lebanese, and Nidia Ripoll's mother is half Italian, half Spanish. In addition to Shakira, William had eight more children from previous marriages. But, the baby became the youngest and most desirable child of his day.

William was the owner of a jewelry store in his hometown, and in his free time he wrote various stories. Therefore, it is no wonder that from birth Shakira was surrounded by many books, gems and musical rhythms. Thanks to her father, she early mastered the basics of reading and writing. The parents were madly in love with their little daughter and did not spare any effort, time or money for her upbringing.

Child prodigy

It is often said about such children that they were kissed on the forehead by the Almighty himself. An unusually gifted girl from early childhood already knew the whole alphabet perfectly at the age of one and a half, by the time she was three she had mastered reading and writing, and at four she surprised those around her with a poem of her own composition, which she called “La Rosa De Cristal” (“Crystal Rose”).

Parents were proud of their daughter's achievements and once decided to declare the unique abilities of a gifted child to specialists. Scientists have carried out a number of studies, which resulted in the verdict: the girl is a genius. According to the test tasks, Shakira, already at the age of 4, could be safely seated at the school desk. However, the education system did not allow this to be done.

In addition to writing poems, Shakira was quite successfully fond of painting. Even then, mother and father predicted a brilliant future for a great writer or artist for their daughter. But their prophecies turned out to be completely wrong.

The first minute of glory

Once, at the age of 4, Shakira, together with her father, found herself in one of the ethnic restaurants of their city, where Turkish and Egyptian motives were always sounded, to which the belly dance of a girl dancer was rhythmically performed. For the baby, both unusual music and dancing turned out to be an incredible discovery. She watched with amazement what was happening, and then involuntarily climbed onto the table, and began to move to the beat of the music, however, quite childishly and clumsily. Of course, her dance did not go unnoticed. The guests of the restaurant cheered and applauded the young dancer. Having received incredible satisfaction from the moment of glory, Shakira realized with all her heart that she wanted to dance, and in front of a large audience. It was that fateful day that gave birth to her keen desire to become an artist in the future.

Christmas present

Seeing how her father spends a lot of time typing his stories on a typewriter, little Shakira asked for the same as a gift for Christmas. And the girl was in seventh heaven with happiness when her father gave her the desired gift. She started writing poetry with even greater enthusiasm. And at the age of seven, Shakira was already filling out her works on her own typewriter. By the way, in the future, many of them became the basis of many of her tracks.

First failures and victories

Shakira studied at a Catholic school and already in primary school began to take an active part in various creative activities. She sang and danced in concert programs, participated in all kinds of competitions. She also went to the choir, but not for long. The leader once stated that Shakira's singing is like "goat bleating", which stands out from the general sound. The girl, of course, was very upset, but did not give up. Dancing and singing hard, she won the Children of the Atlantic competition at the age of 10.

First steps towards world fame

So young Shakira managed to win some fame in her homeland. Soon she was noticed by Monica Arias - a famous journalist, art director and screenwriter. Impressed by the rising star's vocals and dance accompaniment, she began to promote her singing career by organizing auditions in musical circles. As a result, the executive producer of Sony Colombia, Ciro Vargas, also became infected with Shakira's work. And as a result of many auditions, a 13-year-old girl was awarded a contract.

In the same year, 1990, the first debut album entitled "Magic" was recorded on Sony Music Colombia, which included songs written by Shakira at the age of 8. The songs gained some popularity and sounded on many radio stations in Colombia. But the album was not in great demand, it was reluctantly bought, which was another big disappointment of the young singer. At the age of 15, Shakira made another attempt and recorded a second studio album, which also failed. Finally disappointed in herself, the girl decided to leave her musical career for a while and study closely.

However, the closer the end of the contract approached, the more concrete the question became before her: to put a fat point on her favorite business forever, or to make a leap forward and take an unapproachable summit.

In 1995, Shakira decided to move to the capital of Brazil and there he recorded the third album "Pies descalzos", which reached the peak of commercial success with lightning speed, brought the star fame, money and millions of fans. The rising star immediately embarked on her first tour, which finally consolidated her position in show business. The performer has traveled all over the countries of Latin America, and has become popular beyond its borders. She brought awards from almost all competitions and festivals. Her tracks for a long time occupied the top positions of almost all charts, her name was recognized by the whole world.

Filmography

The incendiary Colombian is known not only as a successful and talented singer and dancer. She starred in films and TV series as an actress, the total number of works is more than 83 film projects. The most popular are the series "Oasis" (1994), films - "Mystery", "The Wizards of Waverly Place", "Alice's Birthday". In 2009, Shakira starred in the TV series Ugly, where she played herself.

Shakira's personal life, first love

For the first time, young Shakira fell in love with 13. The object of her adoration was the neighbor boy Oscar Prado. For several years they met, shared secrets and experiences. However, youthful feelings gradually dissipated after the girl moved to the capital.

Relationship with Osvaldo Rios

Two years later, upon arrival in the capital, it became known about the singer's romance with the famous actor Oswald Rios. Despite the fact that the lovers hid their feelings in public, everyone knew very well about their relationship. And although the couple was called the most beautiful in all of Latin America, their romance turned out to be rather fleeting - Shakira and Osvaldo broke up after 8 months.

Lingering affair with Fernando de la Rua Antonio

In 2000, Shakira began a relationship with Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rua, the son of the ex-president of Argentina. The beloved became not only a partner of the talented singer, but also her producer. A year later, the couple openly announced the seriousness of their intentions. Fans began to look forward to the imminent marriage of the young, but the wedding never took place. Nevertheless, the romance lasted long enough. In a conversation with reporters, Shakira has repeatedly stated that for true love papers and a stamp in a passport are not needed. But by the end of 2010, this relationship had completely exhausted itself and the singer officially announced her separation from Antonio by mutual consent.

However, a year later, the press was full of headlines that speak in every way that the former lover had sued Shakira. Fernando demanded $ 45 million from the star for giving up lucrative contracts during their relationship, "spending the best years of his life on her." In addition, the ex-boyfriend claimed 18% of all earnings (252 million) over the years of joint relations with Shakira, and he also had his eyes on her mansion in Uruguay and apartments in New York.

Shakira found herself in a very unpleasant situation. The Colombian beauty could not have expected such a turn of events. But the US court, fortunately for her, dismissed the lawsuit of her ex-boyfriend, leaving him to his own interests.

Shakira and Gerard Pique

Shakira and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique met on the set of the music video "Waka Waka". After two years of secret dating, the couple decided to no longer hide the relationship that began, despite the ten-year age difference. (Gerard Piquet is 10 years younger than Shakira). In 2012, the singer moved to the bachelor apartment of her civil husband, and in 2013 gave birth to his first child, who was named after Milan.

Two years later, Gerard and Shakira became the parents of another baby. The babies were born by caesarean section. Undoubtedly, the best surgeons "conjured" Shakira's body, because her stomach remained as perfect as before the birth. In the summer of 2015, the happy mother of a six-month-old baby has already demonstrated a toned figure that has become even more feminine and seductive.

Shakira and Gerard Pique did not officially register their relationship either at the beginning or after the birth of their children. According to the star herself, she and her man do not need stamps in their passports to consider the relationship official. Therefore, she considered both of her men, albeit conditionally, as husbands.

However, a couple of years ago, rumors spread that the couple broke up. However, last summer, the paparazzi photographed the singer along with 33-year-old Gerard Pique and sons, seven-year-old Milan and five-year-old Sasha, while walking around Barcelona. The star family looked pretty happy. They ignored the rule that city residents, due to quarantine, must be outside for no more than an hour and within one kilometer from their home. As you can see from the photo while walking around the city of Shakira, Gerard and their children also neglected personal protective equipment - none of the family members were wearing masks or gloves.

Summing up the above, I would like to add that Shakira is one of the 5 best-selling performers of the 2000s. And despite the rather thorny road to universal recognition, she still managed to win her place in the world of show business and achieve overwhelming success and love of millions of fans in all corners of the earth. And Shakira is also a real national hero for her people, she founded a Colombian charity fund, where she donates 50% of her fees, building schools in the poorest areas of Colombia.

In 2013 and 2014, her name was included in the lists of the most powerful and influential women in the world.

Continuing the theme of strong women who managed to break through in life with their own mind, hard work and aspirations, our publication: Why did the Chileans cry when Michelle Bachelet's second term ended?.