by Jane Duckering

Created on: March 12, 2009   Last Updated: March 13, 2009

Grammy Award winning Latina star Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, 32, known only by her first name in the music world as Sharika, was born on the 2 February 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia to a Columbian mother, Nidia de Carmen Ripoll Torrado and to a American born father of Lebanese descent, William Mebarak Chaid. Who would ever of thought that this little girl would one day have a place in the Guiness Book of World Records for staying at Number one of the Billboard Latin single charts for a staggering twenty five weeks for one of her songs, "La Tortuta".

Shakira began writing songs and composing music at the tender age of eight, not content with just achieving status in these areas, she went on to learn how to play the guitar as well. When she was told at the age of 10, that her voice was too strong for the choir, she turned her talents to entering and winning talents competitions instead.

At the age of 13, Shakira moved to Bogata in the hopes of pursing a modelling career. It was here she met Monica Ariza, who was so impressed by her singing, that she did her best in trying to help her to launch a career. Ariza knew people and had managed to set up a mock audition for Shakira for Sony executives. She performed three songs for them, enough to impress them into offering her a three album deal.

So hence "Magia" (Magic) her debut album was released when she was 15 years of age. The album did not do well; in fact, selling less then 1000 copies. She then went onto release another album in 1993, titled "Peligro" (Danger), this second album was better received then Magia, but suddenly she decided to take a break from music, to concentrate on graduating from school.

Shakira returned 2 years later in 1995 to make "Pie Descalzo" (Barefeet), this album gave her the fame and recognition she was after in Latin American. Pie Descalzo went on to sell more then 4 million copies. Her fourth album "Donde Estan Los Ladrones" (Where are the thieves?) released 3 years later at a cost of more then $3 million dollars to produce, went on to be even more successful, selling seven million copies.

In 2000, she started dating Antonio de La Rua, the son of the president of Argentina, due to conflicts of interest within the country, Tower Records on learning of this relationship, refused to sell any of Shakira albums thus removing them from their shelves. She carried on with relationship with Antonio, refusing to acknowledge this action, and is now engaged to be married.

In 2001, following the

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