Inside Shakira's turbulent love life after bitter split from Gerard Pique
As Shakira is set to be honoured with an award at the 2023 MTV VMAs and give fans a memorable performance, we're taking a closer look at the famous Hips Don't Lie singer's romantic history since her public breakup with her long-term boyfriend Gerard Pique last year.
The 46-year-old Colombian singer is set to make an unforgettable appearance at the VMAs this week for her first time returning to the award show in 17 years. Shakira will be honoured for her incredible talent with the Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement.
As the famous singer takes to the stage again during the highly anticipated annual award show, we're taking a deeper look at Shakira's romantic history from her 11-year-long relationship with footballer Gerard to her new rumoured romance with Lewis Hamilton.
Osvaldo Rios
Shakira's first's reported romance after she rose to stardom was with Puerto Rican actor Osvaldo Rios. Shakira and Osvaldo had an eight-month-long relationship in 1997. Although the pair kept their relationship private, the Waka Waka singer confessed that they fell in love during her guest appearance in Show Business.
The couple's love affair was controversial, as the two shared a shocking 17-year age difference, with Shakira meeting the seasoned actor when she was just 20 years old. Although Shakira never publicly shared the reason behind their breakup, Osvaldo claimed that they broke up because she was young and he wanted to "let her fly" and continue to grow as a singer.
Shakira's savage birthday present to ex Gerard Pique as split turns toxicFollowing their split, the pair reportedly remained on good terms speaking highly of one another in interviews. According to Marca, Osvaldo shared his admiration and love for the Latin music singer. He said: "We had a very beautiful relationship that I value and will value all my life," he continued: "She wrote me songs that still move me every time I hear them. I wrote her poetry. I hope she has saved the book I wrote for her."
Antonio de la Rua
After Shakira and Osvaldo broke up, the Beautiful Liar singer went on to date Antonio de la Rua, an Argentine lawyer. The pair shared a long-lasting relationship of 11 years before making the decision to split in 2010. The lovebirds met during Antonio's father’s electoral race for Argentine president while Shakira was promoting her MTV Unplugged CD and gearing up for her Anfibio Tour.
Multiple publications speculated that Antonio had cheated on Shakira between 2007 and 2008 with incriminating photos of the attorney being pictured dancing and having another woman sitting on his lap. Shakira's team allegedly attempted to buy these photos to prevent unwanted scandal from the media, according to TheThings.
In January of 2011, Shakira announced on her website that after 11 years together, she and de la Rúa had broke up after making "a mutual decision to take time apart from [their] romantic relationship." She wrote that they "view this period of separation as temporary and as a time of individual growth as [they] continue to be partners in [their] business and professional lives."
Following their breakup, Antonio filed a $250million (£200million) lawsuit against Shakira asking for compensation for helping her build her music career. His lawsuit was later dismissed by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge in August 2013.
Gerard Pique
Shakira's most recent public breakup was with Spanish former footballer Gerard Pique. The pair had a long-lasting romance of 11 years before their public split last year.
The pair first met on set of Shakira's music video for her hit song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” in 2010. During their relationship they welcomed two children together, including son nine-year-old Milan and seven-year-old son Sasha. Since their breakup, the pair reached a custody agreement with their children deciding that their two sons would live in Miami where Shakira's family lives.
After the pair's decision to breakup there were rumours speculating that Gerard had cheated on the She Wolf singer. But new claims suggest that this was far from the truth as the couple reportedly had an "open relationship" for up to three years before their split. Sources close to Gerard claimed that he was left in "a state of disbelief" when he discovered his partner took to social media to share the news of their breakup.
In an Instagram post, Shakira told her fans: "We regret to confirm that we are parting ways. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding."
Since their decision to part ways and Gerard moving on to date his new girlfriend Clara, Shakira lashed out at her ex with a song titled "Sessions." In the song, the singer compared herself to a Ferarri and joked that Gerard traded her in for a "Renault Twingo" claiming that she was "too big" for her ex.
Pique suffers further Shakira humiliation as friend shows where loyalties lieLewis Hamilton
This summer following her breakup with Gerard, Shakira has been romantically tied to Lewis Hamilton, a British racing driver. The new lovebirds have been spotted in public together numerous times over the summer including on a romantic boat ride and dinner, at Silverstone during a racing tournament, and during the Spanish Grand Prix in June.
According to an insider, the pair were also planning on going on a Caribbean vacation together. The source told InTouch weekly: "She’s over Gerard and fast-tracking her romance with Lewis," they continued: "They’re inseparable. It’s definitely a hot summer romance."
The source revealed that Shakira has healed from her previous breakup and is ready to explore a future with Lewis. They told the news outlet: "She believes in love and is very open to see what the future might hold for them."