Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 9, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her mother was a native Colombian and her father was of Lebanese descent.  Shakira wrote her first song at age eight, began entering talent competitions at age ten, and started learning the guitar at age 11.  In 1990, at age 13, Shakira moved to Bogotá in hopes of pursuing a modeling career, but wound up signing a record deal with Sony's Colombian division instead. Her 1991 debut album Magia ("Magic") was composed of songs she'd written since she was 8.  Although not a big hit, the record started to make a name for her in her home country. Her follow-up album Peligro ("Danger"), released in 1993, didn't do any better, so Shakira changed direction for a time, joining the cast of the Colombian soap opera El Oasis in 1994.

When Shakira returned to recording in 1995, she worked more rock & roll rhythms into her Latin pop material. Her third album, Pies Descalzos ("Bare Feet"), hit number one in eight different countries and eventually went platinum in the U.S.  The first single "Estoy Aqui" became a hit all over Latin America.  Shakira toured for nearly two years promoting it. She finally left El Oasis in 1997.

Released in1998, Dónde Están Los Ladrones? ("Where Are the Thieves?"), became an even bigger worldwide hit, spending 11 weeks at number one on Billboard's Latin album chart and producing two U.S. number ones (on the Latin chart) with "Ciega, Sordomuda" and "Tu."  "Ojos Así" also became a worldwide hit.

When Gloria Estefan offered to translate "Ojos Así" into English, the thought of an English album seemed likely.  In the meantime, she performed on MTV Unplugged, the channel's first Spanish-language broadcast. MTV Unplugged was released as an album in early 2000, and topped the Latin charts for two weeks on its way to becoming her third straight platinum album. It also won a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album.

Shakira then dyed her hair blonde, romanced Antonio de la Rua (son of the former president of Argentina), and went to work on her first English album, Laundry Service. The first single "Whenever, Wherever" was released in late 2001, and made her a star in the English-speaking world. Laundry Service entered the American pop charts at number three, and "Whenever, Wherever" climbed into the Top Ten of the singles chart, peaking at number six. The follow-up "Underneath Your Clothes" also hit the Top Ten, halting at number nine; less than a year after its release, Laundry Service had gone triple platinum. Shakira is now starting a tour, "Tour of the Mongoose."  Get your tickets now!