Shakira and her longtime partner Gerard Piqué are separating after 11 years together.
The Colombian singer and the Spanish soccer player shared the news in a joint statement on June 4. “We regret to confirm that we are separating,” Shakira and Piqué wrote, per People. “We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect.”
Shakira and Piqué met on the set of her music video for “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which was the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Shakira confirmed their relationship in March 2011 by sharing a photo with Piqué on Facebook. “Les presento a mi sol,” she captioned the image in Spanish, which translates to “I present to you my sunshine.”
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In January 2013, the couple welcomed their first son, Milan, who is now nine years old. “We are happy to announce the birth of Milan Piqué Mebarak, son of Shakira Mebarak and Gerard Piqué, born Jan. 22nd at 9:36 p.m. in Barcelona, Spain,” the couple announced on Shakira’s website at the time, according to People. “The name Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn), means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification. Just like his father, baby Milan became a member of FC Barcelona at birth.”
Almost precisely two years later, they announced the birth of their second son, Sasha, in 2015. “We are happy to announce the birth of Sasha Piqué Mebarak, son of Shakira Mebarak and Gerard Piqué, born January 29 at 9:54 pm, in Barcelona,” they shared on her website. “The name Sasha is of Greek and Russian descent and means ‘defender of mankind’ and ‘warrior.’”
