Over the past two decades, Shakira has become one of the most successful pop stars in the world. Has she accomplished this while also starting a family?
Shakira and her partner, soccer star Gerard Pique, have two sons together. Their names are Milan, born January 22, 2013, and Sasha, born January 29, 2015. Shakira prefers to keep her family life private but occasionally shares photos and videos of herself and her children.
For more on Shakira’s relationship with Pique and their family together, keep reading.
Shakira and Gerard
Following a ten year relationship between Shakira and Argentinian lawyer Antonio de la Rua in between 2000 and 2010, the couple separated.
What at first seemed a temporary break in their relationship became permanent, with de la Rua later attempting to sue Shakira for $100 million that he believed he was owed. The case was dismissed in August 2013.
During the recording of the music video of Shakira’s 2010 FIFA World Cup song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), she first met Gerard Pique.
Pique is one of the most decorated defenders in soccer, having played for Catalan giants FC Barcelona, as well as the Spanish national team. Shakira and Pique started a relationship in 2011 and have been together ever since.
The couple are not legally married, both agreeing that there’s no point beyond legality and that they are both happy together.
Shakira has spoken about their feeling that they already have the things that are essential in life and they don’t feel that marriage is necessary, although she also stated that, if she were to ever get married, it would be to Pique.
Sons
Shakira gave birth to her and Pique’s first child on January 22, 2013, a boy named Milan Pique Mebarak, taking both his parents’ surnames.
Milan was born in Barcelona, where Shakira and Gerard live. A tradition among players at FC Barcelona, Milan also became a member of the club at birth (though whether or not he’ll continue to be one as he grows up is yet to be determined).
The name Milan has several meanings in different languages, though all positive ones. In Slavic, it means “dear, loving and gracious”, in Ancient Roman, “eager and laborious” and in Sanskrit, “unification”.
From reading the meanings, it seems Milan’s parents have chosen a name that should serve him well in life.
Their second child had an equally strong name. Sasha Pique Mebarak was born on January 29, 2015, also in Barcelona.
The name Sasha, according to a statement by the couple, is of Greek and Russian descent and means “defender of mankind” and “warrior”. The boys’ names might seem like a lot to live up to but, with a pop icon and World Cup-winning soccer player for parents, they should be well set to pursue their dreams in life.
Shakira has talked about how having children transformed her life, calling them “the axis of [her] universe”. She said that they have also helped her become more disciplined as she is no longer her own boss and needs to adjust her schedule to fit around her sons.
This must be a major challenge for someone with a life as busy as Shakira, with daily workouts and rehearsals. Shakira seems happy to embrace that challenge though, occasionally sharing photos of her young family.
One day, there might be conflicted loyalties for Milan and Sasha, at least when it comes to sports. The boys were born in Barcelona and obviously support their father’s club, as well as the Spanish national team.
However, they also support Colombia when their mother’s country plays international soccer. While this is rarely an issue due to the distance between the two nations, it would be interesting to see whether or not they take sides when Spain and Colombia do come face to face in a game!