Grammy-winning Latina rock singer Shakira was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 2, 1977. Her father is a Lebanese immigrant and her mother a native of Colombia. Shakira began her musical career at age 12 and quickly captured fans throughout Latin America. Singing in Spanish, she is often called the "Latin Alanis Morissette" due to her hard sounds. She won the 2001 Best Latin pop Grammy for her "MTV Unplugged" album.
Announced engagement to Antonio de la Rua, son of the present President of Argentina. [March 2001] Is the youngest of eight siblings. Shakira is Arabic for "grateful" or "full of grace." Is of Colombian and Lebanese and Macedonian heritage. Named her album "Laundry Service" because when she is in love she feels "clean and fresh" Fluent in Portuguese, Italian, and English, in addition to Spanish. Hates to wear jewelry. Her Lebanese grandmother taught her the art of Arabian Belly Dancing so she can stay true to her middle eastern roots Has perfect pitch (the ability to recognize any note upon hearing it or sing any note without prior to hearing it) Her manager for Latin America, Patricia Tellez, the woman who helped her go from being local artist to Grammy-winning global artist, died of a heart attack in Bogota on 17 August 2004. Ranked #9 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002). She likes chocolate. Father's name is William Mebarak Chadid and mother's name is Nidia del Carmen Ripolli Torrado. Her mother is half Colombian and half Italian and her father is American with Lebanese and Macedonian ancestry. Steven Spielberg offered her the role of Elena Montero in The Mask of Zorro back when he was originally in talks to direct it. But, she turned the offer down because she felt that not only was she a bad actress, but her English wasn't good enough. When she was two years old her oldest half-brother died in an accident while he was riding a motorcycle and a drunk man hit him with his car. Her oldest half-sister Lucy is a surgeon, Alberto, her half-brother, is a lawyer, Moises is the third child, Tonino is the fourth child and the closest to Shakira, having worked many years as her road manager. Then is Patricia who lives in Spain, she is a special education teacher, and finally there is Antonio and Edward, the youngest who lives in Miami. The first English song she wrote was Objection, from the album Laundry Service. She loves to eat corozos, a little Colombian fruit that is sweet-sour. Lost her suitcase with all her songs from Donde Estan Los Ladrones in an airport in Bogota Colombia. This happened a couple of months before she walked into the recording studio to begin on that album. Mattel put out several Barbie dolls inspired by Shakira and her look. Her album 'Fijacion Oral Vol.1' is #1 on the Billboard Latin Albums Chart in September 2005. Attended La Ensenanza School in Barranquilla. Her English language album 'Oral Fixation 2' will be released in November 2005. Lists John Lennon as her #1 musical influence. Her cousin is fashion designer and Miss Colombia 2006 Valerie Dominguez Tarud Ranked as #76 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005) Was featured as #15 in Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100 of 2002" supplement. (2002) Has homes in the Bahamas, Miami, Barranquilla-Colombia and Urugway. She was attached to play Mimi in a television mini series based on the Broadway musical Rent, with Neil Patrick Harris as Mark Cohen, Wilson Cruz as Angel, and Rikki Lee Travolta as Roger Davis, but the rights were pulled in order for Chris Columbus to make a film adaptation using much of the original Broadway cast. Her recording of "La Tortura" was a #1 hit in many countries, most of them in Europe. "Hips Don't Lie" instantly soared to the top of the charts in many countries and has been at the very top for many months. It has won countless awards and is currently being performed all over the world along with Wyclef Jean. Named #20 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006). Is a huge fan of Bollywood movies and music from India. She got in touch with Farah Khan, the most famous choreographer in India, and asked her if she could choreograph a dance for her performance at the 2006 MTV Video Awards. That night, her performance was the most memorable one as she sang and danced to 'Hips Don't Lie' in traditional Indian clothing. Best concert she ever saw - Depeche Mode. While promoting Pies Descalzos, she returned to Barranquilla in 1997 for a huge homecoming concert, the first one since becoming a star. Tragedy struck that night when the venue failed to control the 50,000 fans rushing in to see their star. Two people ended up being trampled to death, and this deeply affected her. Ranked #38 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list. Ranked #33 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists. Her first tape was Donna Summers' Bad girls. Natural haircolour is black. Favourite flowers are sunflower and daisy. Sport - likes to play tennis and swimming. Has three dogs - Coquito, Chan and Gordita. In 2007, Forbes Magazine reported that her 2006 earnings were estimated at $38 million.