Colombian pop superstar Shakira and FC Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué have announced their separation. "We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding," the two announced in a statement released by the singer's public relations firm. Shakira, who is known around the globe for her song 'Hips Don't Lie', met Pique first during the shooting of the 'Waka Waka - (This Time For Africa)' music video, which was the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Shakira and Piqué share two kids - Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7 - and had been together for over a decade, but never tied the knot. The news of the two going separate ways comes after El Periodico in Spain stated that Pique had moved into an apartment from their family home. Things had recently looked good between the couple when Shakira posted a photo on social media during the Valentine's Day celebrations. She also shared a picture of them kissing on New Year's eve and wrote in the caption: "Let’s whistle our way to 2022!… Y los últimos besitos del 2021!"
Earlier this year, Shakira opened up on how she and Piqué would deal with arguments, which she said would occur due to their diverse upbringings. During an appearance on the Planet Weirdo with Holly H podcast this February, she jokingly stated, "My poor husband, slash boyfriend, slash baby daddy, whatever you want to call him, he has to wait up for me so long. He’s tired of waiting up." She added, "[Because] Colombian time is not the same as Catalonian time, Spanish time. His mind is structured like that and mine. … I’ve become a lot more punctual since I met him. [But] the times that we actually fight is because I’m late and he’s waiting up."
