Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, better know as simply Shakira, is a Colombian singer, songwriter, and dancer who is one of the most famous female performers on Earth.
Shakira was born and raised in Barranquilla where she began performing in school. Her first studio albums, “Magia” and “Peligro” (which were released in the early 1990’s), failed to gain commercial success. In 1996, she achieved commercial and critical success in Latin America with her major-label debut “Pies Descalzos” In 2001, she released her best-selling “Laundry Service.” “Laundry Service”, her fifth studio album but first in the English market, was a smash hit. The album’s lead single, “Whenever, Wherever”, became one of the most successful singles of 2002.
In Latin America alone, Shakira has sold over 10 million albums. She also has one of the most followed Instagram accounts on Earth with close to 50 million followers.
Shakira is married to Spanish footballing legend Gerard Pique, who plays for Barcelona and the Spanish National team.