The Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, music producer, choreographer and model is widely regarded as the most successful Latin American artist who has achieved considerable heights on the musical Olympus.

Shakira stands out among other musicians not only for her unique abilities, but also for her high IQ (140 units).

People often think, “What is the real age of Shakira?” Her real age can only be found out by looking at her passport, as she now looks as gorgeous as she did in her 30s.

She has retained the same beautiful figure, despite the fact that during this time she became a mother of two sons.

Shakira was born in February 1977 in the port town of Barranquilla, on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Her full name is Shakira Isabel Merabak Ripoll. “Shakira” means “full grace” in Arabic, and “goddess of light” in Hindi. The star’s father, William Merabak Shadid, is Lebanese, and his mother, Nydia Ripoll, is half Italian and half Spanish. Besides Shakira, William had eight more children from previous marriages. But, Shakira was the youngest and most desired child for him.

William was the owner of a jewelry store in his hometown, and in his spare time he wrote stories. Thus, Shakira was surrounded by many books, gems and musical rhythms from birth.

At the age of one and a half, the girl perfectly knew the entire alphabet, by three she had mastered reading and writing, and at four she surprised her family with a poem of her own composition.

Parents were proud of the achievements of their daughter and once decided to declare the unique abilities of a gifted child to specialists. Scientists conducted a series of studies, the result of which was a verdict: the girl is a genius.

Shakira studied at a Catholic school and took part in various creative activities. She sang and danced in concert programs, participated in various 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 overall sound. The girl, of course, was very upset, but did not give up. Intensively engaged in dancing and vocal, at the age of 10 she won the “Children of the Atlantic” competition.

The executive producer of Sony Colombia, Ciro Vargas was impressed with Shakira’s creativity. And he signed a contract with a 13-year-old girl.

In 1990 her first debut album was recorded on Sony Music Colombia, which included songs written by Shakira from the age of 8. But the album was not in great demand. At the age of 15, Shakira made another attempt and recorded her second studio album, which also failed.

In 1995, Shakira decided to move to the capital of Brazil and there she recorded the third album “Pies descalzos”, which instantly reached the heights of commercial success, brought fame, money and millions of fans to the star.

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

For the first time, young Shakira fell in love at 13. However, youthful feelings gradually dissipated after the girl moved to the capital.

After moving to the capital she met the famous actor Oswald Rios. Their love story lasted 8 months.

In 2000, Shakira began a relationship with the Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rua, the son of the ex-president of Argentina. Beloved became not only a partner of a talented singer, but also her producer. But by the end of 2010, the singer officially announced that they broke up with Antonio.

Shakira and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique met on the set of the Waka Waka music video (Gerard Pique is 10 years younger than Shakira).  In 2012, the singer moved to her common-law husband, and in 2013 she gave birth to their first child, who was named Milan.

Two years later, Gerard and Shakira became the parents of another baby. The children were born by caesarean section.

Shakira and Gerard Pique did not officially register their relationship. She and her husband do not need stamps in their passports to consider the relationship official.

However, a couple of years ago, rumors spread that the couple broke up. However, last summer the paparazzi photographed their family while walking around Barcelona. They looked pretty happy.

Shakira is also a real national hero for her people, she founded a Colombian charity fund, where she deducts 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.