by Lynette Alice

Created on: March 06, 2009

Shakira Mebarak Ripoll, better known to the world as simply Shakira, was born in Barranquilla Colombia on February, 2, 1977. Her father William Chadid was a well respected Lebanese jeweler, while her mother Nidia Torrado was his Colombian bride. After several names came and went through her mothers mind she settled on Shakira which is a derivative of the word "shakurum" which translates to English as "Woman full of grace." How fitting that name would be was unknown then, but to millions around the world that have come to know and love her as a performer, there could be no better description. Personally however, Shakira said she identifies to it's secondary meaning more which is "grateful."

While Shakira was the only daughter the couple had, she did have several half siblings from her fathers previous marriage dating back to when he lived In New York. As the baby and admitted apple of her fathers eye, he had no problem indulging "Shaki" as she is known to family and friends in whatever pursuits she desired. Shakira proved to be an extremely intelligent child whom was thought would go on to great academic pursuits. She had learned the alphabet around 18 months old, was reading by three, and it is recorded she began school at only four years old. As Shaki was tested at the genius level and had a string of older siblings that went on to wonderful careers; a surgeon, attorney, special education teacher, and her future road manager whom had a heavy business background.

Shakira seemed headed down a different road however as very early on her gift for writing was noticed and nurtured. The second thing that was evident was she was a gifted dancer progressing through learning complex tap and belly dance routines she began mimicking, again at only four years old. and without the benefit of lessons. To the dismay of her parents, as Shakira progressed through school she seemed to have little interest in her studies, however that did not mean she had trouble maintaining good grades. teachers remarked she had a gift for understanding even complex concepts rather quickly, and then retained them even easier.

At thirteen she moved to Bogota to pursue a career in modeling. While music was her true love she wasn't sure if it was going to be in her future after her school choir director commented she sounded like a sick goat. She proved her wrong as by the time a year had passed she inked her first recording deal with Colombia Records. Maga which debuted in 1991 barely sold 1,000

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