When Shakira and Gerard Piqué split, fans were stunned—as if love itself had just filed for divorce. But while the world was busy gasping, Shakira was already ten emotional steps ahead. She didn’t just suspect something was off; she practically had a sixth sense for the whole unraveling. But how did she find out what was going on—and that she was being cheated on? The real story is stickier than anyone imagined.
A Picture-Perfect Pairing
When Shakira and Gerard Piqué announced their separation in June 2022, after eleven years together, fans were stunned. It seemed to come out of nowhere.
She was an international music icon; he, a top-tier soccer star with trophies to match. As a couple, they looked unstoppable—successful, glamorous, and solid.
But as time went on, cracks in the fairytale began to show. Shakira had been quietly planning a fresh start in Miami. So how did this story begin?
From Barranquilla to Global Stardom
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 1977. From a young age, she showed a deep passion for music, poetry, and dance.
She gained international fame in the early 2000s with crossover hits like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie.” Her blend of Latin pop, rock, and dance became a global sensation.
Before her relationship with Gerard Piqué, Shakira was in a long-term partnership with Antonio de la Rúa, the son of Argentina’s former president and one of her early career advisors. Sadly, that relationship would also end in heartbreak.
Love, Business, and a Bitter Breakup
Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa shared more than just a long-term relationship—they were partners in every sense, both romantically and professionally, from 2000 to 2010.
Despite occasional tabloid buzz linking her to singer Alejandro Sanz, Shakira always insisted Antonio was the one. She even wrote the tender hit “Día de Enero” for him—a fan favorite to this day.
But the fairy tale unraveled fast. After their split, Antonio sued her for $100 million, claiming he made her career. She hit back with a fraud lawsuit. And in the middle of this legal soap opera, she met someone new—Gerard Piqué.
A World Cup, a Music Video, and a Spark
In 2010, Shakira met Gerard Piqué on the set of her “Waka Waka” video in Madrid, filmed for the FIFA World Cup campaign.
The chemistry between them was instant. What began as a casual collaboration quickly turned into something more, both on and off camera, catching everyone’s attention.
“Waka Waka” became a global hit, racking up over 3 billion YouTube views. That same year, Piqué won the World Cup with Spain. Their careers—and connection—were soaring.
Pique’s Bold Promise
When asked about their first encounter, Piqué has said that he boldly asked for Shakira’s number while filming the music video. Months later, he texted her asking about the weather in South Africa.
When Shakira texted back a detailed weather report instead of simple replies, Piqué knew something special was brewing between them during those flirty pre-tournament messages.
Determined to see her again, he promised he’d reach the World Cup final just to meet Shakira at the closing ceremony—and incredibly, he actually delivered on it.
From Rumors to “Mi Sol”
After the World Cup, Shakira and Piqué were spotted together repeatedly, sparking a media frenzy eager to confirm the romance everyone suspected was brewing.
By 2011, Shakira made it official—she posted a photo of Piqué on social media, calling him “mi sol.” With that, speculation turned into full-blown celebration.
At the time, Shakira was 34 and Piqué was 24. Despite the age gap, fans were thrilled. A pop icon and a football star—everyone was watching their story unfold.
A Growing Family, Without a Wedding
Shakira and Piqué’s relationship was moving fast—in the best way. Not long after they began dating, Shakira became pregnant with their first child.
In January 2013, they welcomed their son Milan Piqué Mebarak into the world. Just two years later, in January 2015, their second son Sasha was born.
Though they never married, the couple quickly built a loving family. Their bond seemed strong, their home full, and for a time, everything pointed toward a happily ever after.
A Superstar on the Sidelines
During this time, some fans began to question the role Shakira was assuming, especially considering her status as a global music icon and performer.
After relocating to Barcelona for Piqué’s football career, Shakira also embraced motherhood, focusing on raising Milan and Sasha while adapting to a very different routine.
Though she continued to work, some projects were paused. Fans noticed she was often seen on the sidelines, supporting Piqué—unexpected for someone who once headlined the world stage.
Singing Her Love Out Loud
Despite public speculation, Shakira never seemed bothered by her shift in priorities. On the contrary, she looked genuinely happy and proud of her choices.
In 2017, she released the global hit “Me Enamoré” (“I fell in love”), a song that doubled as a love letter to Piqué. It featured moments from their life together.
With lyrics like “Mira qué cosa bonita, qué boca más redondita” (“He is so handsome, his mouth looks delicious”), she made it clear—she was head over heels.
Legal Woes in Spain
While Shakira’s personal life in Spain seemed idyllic, behind the scenes, she was entangled in a prolonged legal battle with Spanish tax authorities.
In 2018, prosecutors accused her of failing to pay €14.5 million in taxes between 2012 and 2014, alleging she resided in Spain during that period.
Shakira contended her primary residence was in the Bahamas and that she had fulfilled her tax obligations. Nevertheless, the case proceeded, casting a shadow over her time in Spain. With time, things would only get worse.
The First Cracks
Around 2018, gossip started swirling that Shakira and Pique’s picture-perfect relationship was hitting some serious bumps, and fans everywhere were totally freaking out about it.
The couple wasn’t having it though, showing up together looking all loved-up and basically telling everyone to chill because they were still crazy about each other.
But fast forward to 2021, and Shakira found out some seriously messed-up stuff through someone close to her, completely destroying their fairy-tale romance forever.
The Nanny, the Jam, and a Clue
It was Lili Melgar, the Bolivian nanny of Shakira and Piqué’s children, who first raised suspicions that something in the relationship wasn’t quite right.
During Shakira’s professional travels between 2021 and 2022, Lili noticed that certain foods—especially Shakira’s jam, which nobody else in the house liked—were mysteriously disappearing.
Lili told Shakira, and together they used the jam jars to set a subtle trap. Things got real when the evidence pointed to someone else eating the infamous jam.
The Final Clue: A Shirt, a Camera, and the Truth
The jam incident raised eyebrows, but what truly confirmed Shakira’s worst fears came shortly after—when Lili discovered unfamiliar women’s clothing inside their home.
The items clearly didn’t belong to Shakira. Alarmed, the two decided to dig deeper and review footage from the house’s security cameras to get answers.
What they saw left no room for doubt—Piqué had been bringing another woman into their family home while Shakira and the kids were away. The truth had surfaced.
The Turning Point
Once Shakira confirmed Piqué’s infidelity—caught on camera with an unknown woman—there was no turning back. The betrayal was undeniable, and so was her next move.
She knew immediately that staying in Spain was no longer an option. What had once felt like home had become a painful reminder of broken trust.
Shakira confronted Piqué about what she had discovered, but the conversation didn’t lead to resolution—it only deepened the fracture. From that moment, she quietly began planning her exit.
Denial, Blame, and a Bitter Reaction
When Shakira confronted Piqué with clear evidence of infidelity, his reaction wasn’t one of remorse—instead, he reportedly refused to separate and grew defensive.
Rather than take responsibility, he directed his anger at Lili Melgar, the longtime nanny who had quietly helped Shakira uncover the truth hidden in plain sight.
Upset at being exposed, Piqué allegedly fired Lili without severance pay—a harsh move against someone who had been part of the family for years. The fallout had begun.
Heartbreak at Home and in the Hospital
While Shakira was watching her relationship collapse, she was also dealing with something even more devastating—her father’s sudden and serious health decline.
In May 2022, 91-year-old William Mebarak suffered a traumatic fall at Shakira’s home in Barcelona. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency brain surgery.
As her father lay in the ICU, Shakira discovered Piqué’s betrayal. She later described it as one of the darkest moments of her life—everything falling apart at once.
The Official Split
In June 2022, the speculation ended. On June 4, Shakira and Piqué publicly announced their breakup after more than a decade together.
In a brief joint statement, they confirmed the end of their relationship and asked for privacy, especially to protect the well-being of their two young sons.
For fans, it was a shock. Rumors had swirled for months, but this was the real deal—a definitive end to what once seemed like an unbreakable bond. Things would only get messier after this.
From Separation to Scandal
Contrary to what Shakira had hoped, things didn’t quiet down after the breakup. Just a few months later, headlines erupted again—this time with photos.
In August 2022, Gerard Piqué was spotted passionately kissing 23-year-old Clara Chía Marti at the Summerfest Cerdanya festival in Catalonia, just three months post-split.
Clara, a student working at Piqué’s company, was 12 years younger than Shakira. The public display reportedly broke a pact to stay discreet for a year, fueling Shakira’s anger.
Was Clara the “Jam Lady”?
Was Clara Chía Marti the mysterious woman behind the infamous jam jar discovery? Officially, it was never confirmed, but the timeline raised plenty of eyebrows.
Just months after the breakup, Clara and Piqué were suddenly inseparable, making public appearances that suggested their relationship had started well before the official split.
The suspicious overlap fueled fan theories, and public opinion quickly tilted in Shakira’s favor. To many, the pieces fit a little too perfectly, not unlike a lid back on an empty jar.
Shakira Breaks Her Silence
Just one month after Piqué and Clara Chía made their public debut, Shakira finally broke her silence about the breakup, and her words hit hard.
In a September 2022 interview with Elle, she described the experience as deeply painful, not just for her, but especially for her children, Milan and Sasha.
“I’ve remained quiet and just tried to process it all,” she said, calling it “a bad dream.” But soon, she’d channel that pain the way she knew best—through music.
Enter “Monotonía”
In October 2022, Shakira dropped “Monotonía,” and with it, the emotional floodgates swung wide open—both lyrically and visually.
With lines like “It wasn’t your fault, it wasn’t my fault / It was monotony’s fault,” fans immediately linked the song to her split from Piqué.
In the music video, her heart is literally blown out of her chest—a striking metaphor that left little doubt. Subtle? Not quite. Effective? Absolutely. The healing had begun.
Putting the Kids First
Despite the heartbreak, the headlines, and the emotional chaos, one thing Shakira and Piqué always seemed to agree on: their children came first.
On November 8, 2022, the former couple announced they had reached a mutual custody agreement for their sons, Milan and Sasha, prioritizing their well-being above all else.
“Our sole objective is to provide our children with the utmost security and protection,” they stated. Shakira planned to move the boys to Miami, closer to her family, and to a fresh start.
Shakira Struggled to Move On
As the world rang in 2023, Shakira welcomed the new year with honesty—and pain. Her New Year’s Day message was raw, poetic, and deeply personal.
Though she didn’t name names, her words clearly echoed the emotional weight of her split from Piqué. “Even if our wounds are still open… time has a surgeon’s hands,” she wrote.
It was clear Shakira was still healing. Her post was less a goodbye and more a quiet reminder: moving on isn’t easy, especially when the heart is still bruised, and her next song proved that.
The Ultimate Mic Drop
On January 11, 2023, Shakira turned her heartbreak into a global phenomenon with “BZRP Music Session #53”—a fiery, unapologetic anthem aimed straight at Piqué.
Collaborating with producer Bizarrap, she didn’t hold back: “You left me the in-laws as my neighbors / Media outlets at my door and in debt.” Ouch.
The song went viral instantly, breaking records and dominating headlines. With lines like “You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo” and “a Rolex for a Casio,” Shakira didn’t just sing—she scorched. And the world couldn’t get enough.
The Internet Explodes
After Shakira dropped “BZRP Music Session #53,” the reaction was massive. Fans and media alike devoured every lyric like it was headline-worthy gold.
People couldn’t believe how much she packed into one song—heartbreak, betrayal, rage. It was a lyrical exorcism after years of silence and subtle public composure.
She called out cheating, her rocky relationship with Piqué’s mother, his absence during her dad’s crisis, and that younger woman. Everyone agreed—Shakira had finally said it all.
Piqué Claps Back—and Casio Claps Harder
In what looked like a petty jab at Shakira’s lyrics, Piqué claimed Casio was sponsoring his new King’s League just days after her song dropped.
On January 13, 2023, during a livestream, he proudly flashed a Casio watch and joked that the brand was backing his football project. Cue the awkward silence.
Because the next day, Casio shut it down. They issued a statement denying any sponsorship, asking Piqué to stop using their name—and hinting at legal action if he didn’t. Ouch.
The Shade War Continues
On January 25, 2023, Piqué went Instagram official with Clara Chía Marti, posting a cozy, caption-free photo that immediately grabbed attention and stirred reactions online.
Two days later, Shakira responded in classic Shakira style—dancing to her own breakup anthem with the caption, “Women don’t cry anymore, women dance merengue!” Message received.
Then came Valentine’s Day. Shakira posted a TikTok lip-syncing SZA’s “Kill Bill,” mouthing lyrics about exes and jail time—while mopping. Subtle? No. Iconic? Absolutely. Fans went wild.
Piqué Finally Spoke—and Sparked More Backlash
On March 19, 2023, Piqué finally broke his silence about the split in an interview with El País, keeping things vague and focused on fatherhood.
He echoed the shared PR line, saying, “Everyone has their responsibility to do what’s best for their kids… That’s what I’m focused on as a father.”
But what caused the real stir was his swipe at Shakira’s fanbase: “My ex is Latin American… These people have no lives.” The internet didn’t take that well.
A Goodbye and a Graceful Clapback
Just two weeks after Piqué’s tone-deaf comments about Shakira’s Latin American fans, she responded not with drama—but with a long-awaited, strategic goodbye.
On April 2, 2023, Shakira announced she and her sons were finally leaving Barcelona, a move she had been quietly planning ever since discovering the infidelity.
In her emotional Instagram post, she thanked the city but noted, “I learned that friendship is more lasting than love.” Then came her tweet: “Orgullosa de ser Latinoamericana”—“Proud to be Latin American.” Enough said.
A New Home, and a Plea for Peace
Shakira’s long-planned move to Miami wasn’t just a relocation—it was a protective decision made with one goal in mind: her children’s stability and peace.
Most of her family lives in Miami, and after the turmoil of the past year, she wanted Milan and Sasha to start fresh, far from the relentless spotlight.
On April 10, 2023, she shared a powerful message asking the press to leave her kids alone. “I extend this request not as an artist,” she wrote, “but as a mother.”
A New Beginning in Miami
In April 2023, Shakira finally moved to Miami with her two young sons, seeking not just distance—but true healing after a painfully public breakup.
It was a return to familiar ground. Shakira had lived in the U.S. for years before Barcelona, and Miami meant proximity to her trusted circle.
Surrounded by family and close friends, she began turning the page—not just physically, but emotionally. This time, it wasn’t escape. It was a genuine fresh start.
Enter Lili, the Loyal Hero
In a move that fans instantly labeled iconic, Shakira rehired Lili Melgar—the former nanny who helped uncover Piqué’s betrayal and was fired for it.
Piqué had reportedly dismissed Lili without severance after learning she played a role in exposing his infidelity. Shakira’s response? Bring her back, front and center.
Fans went wild. To them, Lili wasn’t just a nanny—she was a loyal ally, a silent whistleblower, a legend. Shakira didn’t just honor loyalty—she made it loud.
“Última”: The Final Note in a Long Goodbye
In March 2024, Shakira released Última—a title that literally means “The Last one” in Spanish. And true to its name, the song marked a symbolic farewell.
Shakira declared it would be the final track dedicated to her ex, Gerard Piqué. The lyrics reflected closure, signaling the end of a painful, highly public chapter.
Through it all, she turned heartbreak into music, and music into strength. With Última, she didn’t just drop a song—she was dropping the curtain on the drama.
After the Storm, a Triumphant Return
After much-needed time off in Miami for healing and privacy, Shakira returned to the spotlight in full force with her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran Tour.
Launching in February 2025 in Brazil, the tour became a massive hit. In Mexico City alone, she sold out 11 shows and made history once again.
Though North American dates were postponed to upgrade venues, fans remained loyal. With bold performances and packed stadiums, Shakira proved she’s back—stronger, louder, and more dazzling than ever.
The End—or Just a New Beginning?
Shakira and Piqué’s relationship has been a rollercoaster, filled with love, family, betrayal, and more public drama than most soap operas dare to write.
Today, Shakira seems to be thriving: touring the world, releasing hit after hit, and rebuilding a life that puts her and her children first.
But is the storm truly over? Or just temporarily calm? Only time will tell. What’s certain is this: whatever comes next, Shakira’s not facing it quietly—and never alone.
