Shakira

Born in Colombia on February 2, 1977, hugely successfully Colombian pop singer and dancer Shakira
has won two Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards and 12 Billboard Latin Music Awards, and
has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Known for hits like "Whenever, Wherever" and "Hips
Don't Lie," Shakira is the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time, and the second most successful
female Latin singer after Gloria Estefan. By 2012, her U.S. album sales had reached nearly 10 million.

After her first two albums flopped, Shakira took the reins of her third album, becoming involved in
every aspect of its production. Released in 1996, Pies Descalzos, meaning "bare feet," sold more than
3 million copies. The album featured her trademark sound, a blend of Latin, rock and Arabic musical
styles. Her follow-up record, Dónde Están Los Ladrones? (1998), which translates as "Where are the
thieves?", reached the top of Billboard's Latin charts. Not long after, Shakira won her first Grammy
Award (best Latin pop album) for Shakira: MTV Unplugged (2000).

With the success of her albums, Shakira became a music superstar in the Spanish-language markets,
known for her strong vocals and incredible hip-shaking belly dance moves.

Personal Life
Outside of her busy career, Shakira created the Pies Descalzos Foundation to help children in her
native Colombia receive a quality education. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and was
honored by the United Nations' International Labor Organization for her philanthrophic efforts in 2010.