Shakira - Life and Career (Electronic book text)

The term "shakira" is the Arabic word "grateful". Shakira, the full name Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, was born in Columbia on 2 February 1977. She is a successful singer in Latin America, but also all over the world. Her parents are Nydia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado, of Spanish origin and William Mebarak Chadid, of Lebanese origin. She has eight step brothers and sisters from her father's previous marriage. Shakira's religion is Roman Catholic. She speaks English, Portuguese, Italian and she handles Arabic pretty well. Shakira has an impressive IQ of 140. The singer has showed creative spirit since an early age, composing her first poem, "La Rosa De Cristal" at four years old. Throughout her childhood she wrote a series of short literary works, while her first song was written at the age of eight. "Tus Gafas oscuras" was inspired by a motorcycle accident that caused the death of one of her step brothers.