Shakira married former Barcelona and Spain star Gerard Pique. (Image: Getty Images)
Colombian superstar Shakira has once again been entrusted with producing the official anthem for the World Cup. The 49-year-old has become virtually inseparable from the tournament following her smash hit Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which soundtracked the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
In the video for the new track, Dai Dai, the Whenever, Wherever singer captivates fans in a series of frilly outfits. She is set to perform the song at the World Cup 2026 opening ceremony in Mexico City on Thursday ahead of the hosts’ match against South Africa.
She is also slated to co-headline the World Cup final half-time show on July 19, alongside Madonna and K-pop phenomenon BTS. With Shakira firmly back in the public eye, we take a look at the star’s love life and a contentious legal dispute.
Shakira’s boyfriend with 15-year age gap
The singer has courted controversy over her rumoured romance with actor Lucien Laviscount, who is 34. Shakira’s age of 49 means there is a considerable 15-year age difference between the couple. The pair met while shooting her 2024 music video for Punteria, and shortly after, rumours surfaced that they were an item.
Laviscount, known for his roles in Waterloo Road and Netflix hit Emily in Paris, was seen enjoying dinner in New York City with the Hips Don’t Lie star. They later made their relationship official through a series of public outings.
Yet it’s unclear whether they remain together after Shakira told The Times in May: “No romance for me for now. There’s no space or time in my life for that. My plate is quite full. My kids are my priority, and my career. Strangely enough, I’m in love with my career as I’ve never been in my life. I’m enjoying my time alone as well.”
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Shakira became entangled in legal proceedings with her ex-boyfriend, Antonio de la Rua, whom she initially met in 2000. Eleven years later, they formally declared their separation, assuring supporters they would remain ‘business partners’. However, in December 2012, De la Rua filed a £75m legal claim against her.
De la Rua argued he was instrumental in Shakira’s worldwide success, portraying himself as “the key architect behind his management team and business strategy,” according to Los40. He demanded a significant share of the singer’s future earnings.
Shakira and ex-boyfriend Antonio de la Rua in 2001. (Image: Getty Images.)
Shakira dismissed allegations of any commercial arrangements with De la Rua, maintaining that they were romantically involved and that he simply acted as her occasional advisor. Their legal battle continued for years with counter-claims before the courts eventually ruled against De la Rua in 2013.
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Break up with Gerard Pique
Shakira and former Spain defender Pique initially met in Madrid at the Rock in Rio festival in 2010. They went on to become one of the world’s most prominent couples and welcomed two children, Milan and Sasha. However, in 2022, the pair officially separated.
In an interview with The Times earlier this year, Shakira characterised the collapse of her marriage as her “darkest moment,” stating: “I’ve been through so much pain, but it has made me perhaps in an unforeseen way a wiser person – or stronger, at least.”
Despite the circumstances, she confirmed she holds no resentment towards her ex-partner. “I will always have that gratitude in my heart for the father of my kids and [for] turning me into the mother that I am today,” she said.
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