They’re going their separate ways. Shakira and her longtime partner, Gerard Piqué, have divorced after 12 years of marriage.
“We regret to inform you that we have decided to divorce,” Shakira, 45, and Piqué, 35, said in a joint statement to Reuters on Saturday, June 4. “We respectfully request that you respect the privacy of our children, who are our first priority.”
The couple, who started dating in 2011, made headlines earlier this month after Shakira allegedly caught the professional athlete having an affair. They did not respond to the allegations at the time.
Prior to their divorce, the Dancing With Myself judge and Piqué welcomed boys Milan, now 9, and Sasha, now 7. Despite being together for almost a decade, the couple never married.
“He wants to be with Shakira the person, not Shakira the celebrity,” Shakira told Latina magazine in 2014. “There is genuine affection; there are no hidden reasons.” And I’m there with him because he’s the most incredible man I’ve ever met. We all desire the same things, enjoy the same things, and despise the same things. I’ve never been with someone that enthusiastic in my life.”
Shakira’s Family Album: See the Singer’s Cutest Photos of Her and Gerard Pique’s Two Children
“If it weren’t for my music endeavors, I would be pregnant already [with a second child] I would love to have eight or nine kids with Gerard – my own football team,” the former Voice coach continued. You feel so at ease with the world when you have a baby and experience his affection. You simply want to spread the good news and express your joy.”
Shakira, who dated lawyer Antonio de la Ra from 2000 to 2010, and Piqué were previously linked in October 2017, though a source told Us at the time that the claims were unfounded.
“Anyone around them could see that the separation rumors from last year were pure BS,” a second insider told Us after the couple was spotted on a family trip to New York City with their sons in January 2018. “They looked as if they were on their honeymoon!” They were inseparable and exchanged hugs and kisses whenever and wherever they could. It was just wonderful. The kids are also very well-behaved and polite.”
RelatedPosts
While the pair kept their romance pretty discreet, they couldn’t help but share a few adorable photos of themselves on social media.
Celebrity Couples Who Didn’t Marry
“Holiday vibes.. #nofilter,” the FC Barcelona athlete captioned an Instagram image from summer vacation with the “Hips Don’t Lie” vocalist in July 2021.
Shakira revealed earlier this year how the duo dealt with arguments, which stemmed from their disparate upbringings.
“My poor hubby, slash lover, slash baby daddy, whatever you want to call him, has to stay up so late for me.” “He’s tired of waiting up,” the Colombia native said on the “Planet Weirdo with Holly H” podcast in February. “Because Colombian time differs from Catalan and Spanish time.” His and my minds are constructed similarly. … Since meeting him, I’ve become much more punctual. [However], when we genuinely quarrel, it’s because I’m late and he’s waiting.”
