Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on the 2nd of February 1977, in
Barranquilla, Colombia. She is a daughter of Colombian mother and Lebanese
father. Her name means "full of grace" in Arabic.

Shakira left home at the age of 13 for a modeling career in capital Bogota,
but finally signed up a contract with Sony Records. She released her debut album "Magia" in 1991 and follow-up "Peligro" in 1993, without gaining much commercial success. Shakira then returned to high-school before starting acting. She appeared in
Colombian soap-opera "El Oasis".

She released her breakthrough album "Pies Descalzos" in 1996 (with singles "Estoy Aqui" and "Donde Estas Corazon?"), which went to the top of charts in several Latin
countries. The follow-up albums "Donde Estan Los Ladrones?" and "MTV
Unplugged" were equally successful.

Finally, in year 2000, Shakira won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("Ojos Asi") at Latin Grammy Awards. The following year's "Laundry Service", her first album to include songs in English, affirmed Shakira´s superstar status. The album made international success with singles "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes".