Shakira’s Boyfriends: The Colombian Singer’s Loves Throughout Her Career

At the age of 13, the singer born in Barranquilla, Colombia, lived her first love with Oscar Pardo, a 15-year-old boy and neighbor of hers in a neighborhood of Barranquilla. According to what she has shared in several media, he was also the one who broke her heart for the first time.

This episode occurred during her adolescence, marking an important moment in her personal life. Years later, Shakira has remembered this relationship as an emotional apprenticeship, as it influenced her future compositions about love and heartbreak.

Óscar Pardo recalls that most of his outings with Shakira were accompanied by his sister and her boyfriend, which made it easy for her parents to give permission. The relationship ended when Shakira was selected to star in the novela El oasis, which led her to move to Bogotá.

Although this marked the end of their romance, Oscar mentions that their friendship endured. This experience occurred before Shakira achieved international fame as a singer.

At the age of 17, the Colombian singer began a relationship that would last four years with businessman Oscar Ulloa, her second great love. This love affair that marked her youth was very significant for the singer. Ulloa remembers telling her, “You have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The breakup is said to have inspired the artist to compose hits like “Antología” and “Dónde estás corazón”, the latter featuring Ulloa in its music video.

“Antología,” one of Shakira’s most iconic songs, was released in November 1996. This ballad, full of nostalgia, was inspired by her romance with Óscar Ulloa, whom the artist met in her youth.

During her Oral Fixation tour in 2006, the singer confirmed that he was the muse behind the song, reflecting the intensity of her first love. Ulloa was one of Shakira’s first boyfriends, marking a significant stage in her sentimental life.

In 1996, Shakira began an affair with Gustavo Gordillo, former member of the Colombian pop rock band Poligamia, of which Andrés Cepeda was also a member.

The couple was well liked by the public and it was during this period that Shakira was consolidating herself in music with her album Barefoot, which may have influenced the lack of availability that led to the end of the courtship. While the relationship was short-lived, each of Shakira’s personal experiences has left its mark on her music.

After the breakup became known, Shakira expressed that the main reason for the end of the relationship was the lack of time and dedication on the part of Gordillo. According to the singer, she did not consider it fair to continue in a romance in which she did not receive the necessary attention.

This estrangement was one of the factors that led to the separation. Gordillo shared a connection with Shakira within the music world, but a busy schedule and differences in their personal priorities played a role in the outcome.

In 1997, Shakira and Osvaldo Rios lived a romance that lasted eight months. At the time, he was 37 years old and she was barely 20, which generated some commotion. At the time, Shakira’s career was taking off with the success of her album ¿Dónde están los ladrones?, which became the best-selling Spanish-language album in the United States that year.

Osvaldo, who fondly remembers their relationship, confessed that Shakira wrote him songs that still move him when he listens to them.

Shakira dedicated poetry to him and made songs inspired by his love, such as “Moscas en la Casa,” “Tú” and “Ojos Así.” Unlike her more recent songs, which often address themes of heartbreak, these pieces reflect a nostalgic and passionate love.

Osvaldo also mentioned that Shakira used to compose on napkins during her travels, a detail he remembers fondly.

Shakira revealed in an interview in the late 1990s on Show Business the same thing Osvaldo mentioned recently. Although his words might seem opportunistic given Shakira’s current fame, Osvaldo was telling the truth.

The Colombian singer recalled that she met Osvaldo, they fell in love with each other and had a courtship of about eight months that ended, as is usual in many relationships. Shakira also mentioned that she composed the song “Moscas en la casa” inspired by him.

Rios was said to be known for capitalizing on the success of his partners. However, in his intervention in the reality show La casa de los famosos, the businessman explained that the relationship with the artist ended not because of fights or similar problems, but because of differences in age, lifestyle and their careers.

Following the uproar over Shakira’s breakup with Gerard Piqué already in 2022, Rios has taken the opportunity to recall details of his brief but significant relationship with the famous singer.

The love story between Shakira and Antonio de la Rúa is a fascinating tale that combines love, career and a series of events that left a mark on both of them.

This romance not only impacted their personal lives, but also had a significant effect on their professional careers, marking an important chapter in the life of the Colombian star and the son of Fernando de la Rua, former Argentine president.

Shakira’s career took off internationally with the album Pies Descalzos in 1995. Antonio de la Rúa, meanwhile, was mainly known for being the son of the then president of Argentina, Fernando de la Rúa, and a young man working in finance and politics.

Despite their different worlds, their paths crossed in 2000, when they met at an event in Miami. At first their relationship was private and discreet.

While both were very secretive about their personal lives and preferred to keep it private and away from the spotlight, this would not last long. The paparazzi began to suspect the romance and so they started taking pictures of them together, proving that the romance was true.

The connection between them was undeniable and they quickly became one of the most talked about couples in the media not only in Latin America but around the world.

The relationship between Shakira and Antonio was characterized by a strong emotional bond and mutual support in their respective careers. Antonio de la Rúa was not only Shakira’s romantic partner, but also played a crucial role in her professional career.

In 2001, shortly after they began their relationship, Antonio became the singer’s manager, a role he took on with great seriousness and dedication, and one that also took Shak’s career to the top.

This period witnessed some of Shakira’s biggest hits. In 2001, she released her album Laundry Service, which catapulted her to worldwide fame with hits such as “Suerte (Whenever, Wherever)” and “The One.” The song “Suerte” became a global anthem and Shakira established herself as one of the most important artists in Latin pop.

Antonio’s support was critical at this stage, providing her with the stability and direction she needed to navigate the complex world of international entertainment.

During their time together, Shakira experienced a career boom: she released several successful albums and won numerous awards. Antonio’s role was crucial in managing her public image and making strategic decisions. In 2005, Shakira released Fijación Oral Vol. 1, another album that received a warm critical and commercial reception.

With songs like “La tortura” and “No,” the album further cemented Shakira’s reputation as an innovative and versatile artist. Antonio, deeply involved in marketing strategy and tour planning, helped ensure the global success of this work.

Despite the successes and mutual support, the relationship between Shakira and Antonio was not without its challenges. Shakira’s intense touring schedule and commitments often meant long separations and constant pressure to maintain a balance between her personal and professional life.

As her career continued to grow, so did the complexity of her relationship with Antonio, which is very common due to the little time spent with the couple.

One of the main challenges they faced was the need to balance the roles of partner and manager. The fine line between work and personal life became increasingly blurred, and the inevitable tensions began to emerge.

The demands of Shakira’s career and the stress associated with managing her success began to take a toll on their relationship. Shakira at the time was a global success and without borders, which was a great thing, but would push the relationship with Antonio to the limit.

In 2010 and after a decade together, Shakira and Antonio announced their separation. The announcement came as a surprise to many, as the couple had maintained an image of stability and success. In a statement, Shakira and Antonio explained that the decision to separate had been made by mutual agreement and that they will continue to support each other in their respective careers.

The split was not only a personal issue, but also a professional one: Shakira took a more autonomous approach to managing her career, and Antonio focused on other projects and opportunities. Both continued to speak positively about each other in public, demonstrating the respect they maintained throughout their relationship.

After the separation, Shakira continued her career successfully, releasing successful albums such as Sale el Sol, in 2010, and El Dorado, later, in 2017. Antonio, on the other hand, dedicated himself to other projects and continued his career in business and politics.

This relationship is a testament to how love and work can intertwine, creating a dynamic that can be both challenging and rewarding. Despite the separation, the influence Antonio had on Shakira’s career is undeniable.

The love story between Shakira and Gerard Piqué began in 2010 and captured the attention of fans and paparazzi alike. The connection between the two was sparked during the filming of the music video for the song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Piqué, who was in South Africa participating in the tournament with the Spanish national team, appeared in the video as part of a sequence of soccer celebrations. The chemistry between them was instant, and although it was initially a professional relationship, it soon turned into a mutual attraction.

The first public sign of their relationship came in March 2011, when they were spotted together at a party in Barcelona and it didn’t take long for them to confirm that they were officially together to avoid fake news.

Despite constant public scrutiny, Shakira and Piqué knew how to keep their personal lives largely out of the public eye, carefully choosing the moments when they shared details of their relationship. Over the years, Shakira and Piqué’s relationship solidified and the family grew larger.

In 2012, they announced they were expecting their first child, Milan. The birth of the little boy in January 2013 was a milestone in their lives and further strengthened their bond. Two years later, in 2015, the couple welcomed their second child, Sasha.

The arrival of these two children not only added a new dimension to their relationship, but also allowed Shakira and Piqué to show the world their most familial and loving side.

Despite numerous public appearances and the success of their respective careers, Shakira and Piqué faced challenges and difficulties. The demands of their jobs, with Shakira traveling frequently for her music career and Piqué maintaining an intense schedule with FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, required both of them to make great efforts to keep their relationship strong.

However, they managed to find a balance, often posting photos and messages on social networks that reflected their love and admiration for each other.

The split between Shakira and Gerard Piqué, announced in June 2022, marked the end of a relationship of more than 10 years. The news came as a surprise to many, given that the couple seemed stable and happy. The breakup generated speculation in the media and on social networks about a possible infidelity on the part of Piqué.

Shakira, through her music, has reflected her feelings after the separation, while Piqué has kept a lower profile and dedicated to soccer and his business.

Following the split, Shakira released a series of songs that would appear to be dedicated to Gerard. “Monotonía,” which was recorded with the collaboration of Ozuna, the Music Session together with Bizarrap – which includes some references to Gerard Piqué and the soccer player’s current partner, Clara Chía – and also ‘Te felicito,’ are three songs released by the Colombian singer after separating from the soccer player.

Later would come “TQG” with Karol G. While Shakira never confessed that these songs were for her ex, she makes it pretty clear in some of them.

Since the release of her album Las mujeres ya no lloran, Shakira has been in the spotlight, especially for the songs revealing her breakup with Gerard Piqué. After it became known that the artist was single, rumors of a relationship with Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton emerged.

Fans have speculated about photos together and believe the song “Nassau” is dedicated to Hamilton, as the island mentioned coincides with a destination where they were spotted and he has a tattoo related to the place.

Social media and paparazzi have been following both celebrities closely, especially since they were spotted in a more intimate setting in Miami. While the images sparked rumors of a possible relationship, some of the singer’s fans are still doubtful, as the British driver has been caught with other women.

Spanish journalist Jordi Martin, who has been monitoring the situation, mentioned that between the two there has always been a genuine and sincere friendship. We will never know if something more than friendship really happened between the two, which adds more mystery to the alleged romance.

Shakira was photographed in New York City with 31-year-old actor Lucien Laviscount, which the paparazzi immediately headlined as the singer’s new romance. Further fueling the rumors, the chemistry between Shakira and Lucien is evident in the music video for the song “Puntería,” in which Shakira shoots an arrow at Lucien in a scene where he plays a centaur.

According to some international media, they have started a romance that worries those close to Shakira, as they fear that the British actor is only interested in gaining notoriety and that this could hurt the singer after her painful separation from Piqué.

Currently, the singer is focused on the preparation of her world tour called Las mujeres ya no lloran, same name of her latest album. On a personal level, Shakira has been focused on the welfare of her children and keeping her private life away from the public eye.

Despite the years and the obstacles she faced throughout her life, Shakira is a true artist who knows no boundaries and always comes out ahead. That’s why she is who she is and doesn’t need a man by her side to shine.