They announced Saturday that Shakira, a Colombian singer, and Gerard Pique, a FC Barcelona defender, are ending their 11-year relationship.
“We are sorry to announce that we will be separating. “We ask for your privacy to ensure the well-being and security of our children. They are our top priority.” they stated in the statement. “Thank you for your understanding.”
Pique, 35 and Shakira, are first known to each other shortly before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Pique, a soccer player, appeared in Shakira’s music video for “Waka Waka” (This Time For Africa), which was the official song of that tournament.
In 2011, they made their relationship public. They have two children together, Sasha (7 years old) and Milan (10 years).
Shakira spoke out about her children’s talents and how they helped her create the concept for her newest music video, “Te Felicito,” while promoting her new series on NBC, Dancing With Myself.
Sasha imagined his mom dancing with a robot and Milan thought of the idea to integrate green flames. Shakira agreed.
Recent reports in Spain have fueled rumors about the end of their long-term relationship. There were reports that Pique had moved out of his family’s Barcelona home and was now living alone in Barcelona.
After a Spanish court rejected her appeal on May 26, Shakira is now facing a trial for tax fraud.
Prosecutors allege that she did not pay taxes on the income she received between 2012 and 2014.
Shakira’s legal team stated in a statement that they would continue to defend her case.
According to the statement, Shakira’s tax conduct has been impeccable in all countries where she has had to pay taxes. She has also trusted and adhered faithfully to the advice of the best experts and advisors.”
Shakira also shut down rumors on Saturday after being “seen in an ambulance in Barcelona recently”.
The singer posted a Twitter statement stating that she took her father to the hospital following a “bad fall” on May 28.
She said that he is still in hospital.
