This talented woman was born in 1977, February, 22, in Barranquilla, Columbia. She was the only daughter of her mother and the last child of her father. Her father, William Mebarak, was a writer and owner of jewelry store. Shakira was grown up in the atmosphere of books, jewelry and music.

When she was 18 months old she knew alphabet, at the age of 3 she could read and write, and she was ready for school when she was 4. She passed special exams and according to the results Shakira was recognized a wunderkind.

At the age of 8 parents understood their daughter was a singer. That time she wrote a song “Your dark glasses” (Tus gafas oscuras) impressed by the optical store her father owed.

Shakira is not only talented, she is beautiful as well. She was the winner of “Atlantic Child” competition.

When she was 10 her parents became her managers. She was invited to belly-dance; she took part in “Hoorah for the children!” competition and won it. Some years later Monika Arias, a journalist, acquainted her with an officer from Sony Music ' Siro Vargas. Shakira sang for him in the hall of El Prado hotel. He was so admired by what he had heard that immediately made a contract with her. Since that moment she combined her child games with the recording of her first album “Magia”.

She first fell in love when she was 13, it was a boy from the neighborhood, Oscar Prado. At the age of 14 Shakira became the most popular singer in the city and her name sounded all around the country. Then she was privileged to represent Columbia at Viña del Mar festival where Shakira won “Silver Gull” (Gaviota de Plata) with the song “ERES” she wrote herself. There she got acquainted with Ricky Martin, he was in the jury and gave a vote for her. Later he said he had never met such a gifted girl.

At the age of 15 Shakira made her second album “Danger” (Peligro). However it wasn't successful. It was hard time for the singer. Her third album had to be successful, in other case that was the end of her career. Due to the crisis in her music she left her town for Bogotá (capital of Columbia).

First of all she visited “Sony Music” and “TV GUIA” magazine. After the interview with the magazine she was offered the main part in «EL OASIS» serial. The same time the magazine was planning to hold “Miss Columbian TV” competition and Shakira was included into the applicants list. The magazine made a special photo session with her. After that her popularity went up. Resuming the results, the magazine named her “Miss TVC” and the best actress.

The third album «Pies descalzos» was made in the USA with Luis Fernando Ochoa, the producer. It was presented in 1995, October, 6 and had a great success. Shakira started her world tour. She visited all countries of the continent and her disk took the first places in hit-parades everywhere. She didn't live in Bogotá anymore, she lived in planes. That time she started relationship with Gustavo Gordillo, the former member of «POLIGAMIA» brand. Their relationship lasted 5 months, then it broke up due to the busyness of the both parts.

Millions of her disks were sold all over the world, she hit all records. Steven Spielberg invited her for trial hearing for a female part in El Zorro. She wasn't chosen but the fact is important.

In 1996 she was named “Woman of the Year” and “Person of the Year”.
In 1997 all fans found out about her relationship with a popular actor, Osvaldo Rios. This romance wasn't long and finished in 8 months.

Shakira got hundreds of awards including “Eres”, «Billboard», «Lo Nuestro», 22 golden disks, 55 platinum, “Diamond prism” and the most precious for her ' meeting Pope.

She continued writing songs and was afraid that her fourth album wouldn't be so successful as the third one. But all her fears were for nothing. Disc with a new album «Dónde están los ladrones?» became platinum five times.

Her English album appeared in 2001, October, 13, it was named «Laundry service» and included 13 songs. «Whenever, wherever» was chosen as a single and made Shakira popular all over the world.

It seems she has everything she wants, however she has lots of wishes left. She dreams of visiting Livan, falling patiently in love for long and of being not only one day star but being remembered by people even after death.