Shakira (Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) was born on February 2, 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is the daughter of a Colombian mother and a Lebanese father, a jeweler and writer. Shakira as a child was greatly influenced by the Arabic background of her father. This 5'2" Colombian Latin-pop superstar is best known for her album "Pies Descalzos". On October 24, 2003, Shakira became the youngest ever goodwill ambassador for the United Nations. She was very talented starting from a very young age. She wrote her first song when she was only eight. Her first album "Magia", recorded by Sony, Colombia was released when she was only thirteen. In 2000, she grabbed the "Grammy Awards" for Latin Pop, Latin Grammy Award in 2002 for Best Music Video and MTV Video Music Awards in the same year. |