Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, and philanthropist. She is referred to as the Queen of Latin Music. In 1997, Shakira founded an organization, The Barefoot Foundation, which aims to help poor and impoverished children. Their goal of this foundation is help ensure every Colombian child can exercise their right to a quality education.

Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia. At the age of 7 she received a typewriter and started writing poetry that eventually turned into songs. Her first song “Tus gafas oscuras/Your dark glasses” was inspired by her dad, who wore dark glasses to hide his grief. At the age of 13, Shakira made her recording debut under Sony Music Colombia.

In 2009, Billboard listed her as the Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade. Having sold more than 75 million records worldwide, Shakira remains one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Shakira has received numerous awards, some being Grammy awards, MTV video music awards, Billboard Latin Music awards, and Latin Grammy awards. She even has her own star on the Hollywood walk of fame.