Shakira biography timeline graphic organizer

Skakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her father, Don William Mebarak Chadid, is Leabnease (Arabic) and her mother, Nidia Ripoll Torrado, is Colombian.

She has eight brothers and sisters.

At the age of eight, Skakira wrote her first song dedicated to her older half brother's death from a motorcycle accident. He died when she was only two years old and she says hearing about her half brother's death is her first memory.

The song is "Tus Gaffas Oscuras" meaning "Your Dark Sunglasses". Her parents realized that she had a special talent and entered her in many singing competitions.

She released "Pies Descalzos" (Bare Feet), which was her first successful album.

Shakira biography timeline graphic organizer