Shakira confirms separation from Piqué after 11 years of marriage

AFP

Colombian singer Shakira, 45, and Spanish footballer for FC Barcelona Gérard Piqué, 35, announced their separation on Saturday, according to a joint statement.

“We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask for respect for privacy. Thank you for your understanding”, reads the short text signed by “Shakira and Gerard” and released by the singer’s agency.

Shakira, 45, and Piqué, 35, began their relationship in 2011 and have two children, Milan and Sasha, born in 2013 and 2015.

With tens of millions of records sold, the Colombian star is the author of hits such as “Waka Waka”, “Loba” or “Hips don’t lie”.

For his part, Piqué is one of the most successful defenders in the history of Spanish football, both with his club Barcelona and with the national team, with which he won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.

The relationship with Shakira took Piqué to another dimension. From a recognized player, he became a media star and also became a successful businessman.

In 2015, Piqué and Shakira hosted a dinner where Barcelona officials met those of Japanese online commerce giant Rakuten, which allowed the club to land one of its most succulent advertising contracts.

The singer and the football player had problems with the Spanish tax authorities, with accusations of fraud and tax evasion.

On May 26, the Spanish court dismissed the appeal filed by the Colombian to close the case against her for alleged tax fraud of 14.5 million euros ($15.5 million) to the Spanish Treasury.

The Public Ministry attributes to the singer six crimes of tax fraud in the years 2012, 2013 and 2014.

According to her version, Shakira had lived in Spain since 2011, when her relationship with Piqué was made public, but she kept her tax residency in the Bahamas until 2015.

As for the Barcelona player, the Spanish Supreme Court in December overturned a ruling that required him to reimburse 2.1 million euros ($2.25 million) to the Treasury for alleged fraud in the processing of his image rights.

The issue dates back to 2016, when an administrative court found that Piqué had “simulated” transferring his image rights to his company Kerad Project to pay less tax in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010.