Shakira in a pickle: separated after 12 years, pursued by the tax man

She was together with this soccer player for 12 years. But now, Shakira and Gerard Piqué are separating. The celebrity couple have two children together.

As if that's not enough, Shakira is also going head to head with the Spanish treasury about her alleged tax evasion while she resided in the southern European country. The Colombian singer is not having the best of times.

But first things first. The separation of Shakira (45) and Gerard Piqué (35) is one of the most sensational so far in 2022. Its reported cause would be infidelity from the footballer's end.

Through a statement in early June, the couple addressed the rumors that they were no longer together.

“We regret to confirm that we are parting ways. For the well-being of our children, who are our top priority, we ask that you respect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding," the couple said in a statement released by their PR agency.

Shakira and Piqué have two children: Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7. The family used to live together in a Barcelona villa.

Although they did not talk about the reason for their breakup, several media claim to have inside information suggesting Piqué had cheated on Shakira.

The Spanish press claims that the Spaniard cheated on the Colombian superstar with a 20-year-old woman. Upon finding out, Shakira decided to end their relationship.

Media have also reported, lately, that the footballer has been like a 'loose cannon' going from party to party.

In fact, Spanish media say, Shakira and Piqué haven't lived together for some time. The footballer reportedly left home and moved into his bachelor's apartment right there in Barcelona.

Although they had been together for 12 years and had two children, Shakira and Piqué never decided to tie the knot.

Around the time of the public announcement, Shakira was reported to have suffered an anxiety attack. She had to be taken to a hospital by ambulance.

(Image: Shakira at the screening of 'Elvis' during the Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2022)

While some suggest that the panic attack was due to her problems with Piqué, her agency has clarified that it was related to an accident that her father had suffered.

The beginning of their relationship dates back to the 2010 World Cup soccer in South Africa, when Shakira made this music video for the tournament's official song, 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).'

The attraction was immediate and they began to form a famous media couple - even more so when their children arrived.

The couple were often seen together, even though rumors of a possible separation increasingly circulated in the media.

In the past years, it was striking that they no longer accompanied each other at public events or shared family images on their social media profiles. The separation was confirmed when they made their official statement.

Another indication that things may not be going well between the two, was Shakira's new song, 'Te Felicito' ('I congratulate you'). The lyrics of the song speak strongly about betrayal and a couple's crisis.

"To complete you I broke into pieces,
They warned me, but I didn't listen.
I realized that you are fake,
It was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Don't tell me you're sorry,
That seems sincere, but I know you well and I know you lie.
I congratulate you, how well you act."

This is one of the verses of Shakira's latest single, which is said to have been dedicated to her ex. Despite their long history and children together, it doesn't sound like reconciliation is a possibility for this couple.

...that's the tax man.
Besides personal problems, Shakira also has legal ones. She's accused of having defrauded the Spanish treasury of 14.5 million euros ($15.5 million).

In 2012 and 2014, Shakira lived between the Bahamas and Spain. She says that most of her time was spent on the Caribbean islands and that she was not required to pay taxes in Spain. The Spanish authorities disagree. They claim to have proof that the singer and her family spent much more than half of those years in the country. She owes them taxes and may even be prosecuted.

Legal experts have argued that Shakira could face a prison sentence of up to 2 years for evading taxes. However, since she has no criminal record, she may avoid prison altogether. Besides, they argue, artists and other wealthy Spaniards in a similar situation have often reached agreements to reduce their sentences and pay a fine instead.

Shakira's lawyers insist that she has maintained impeccable conduct in tax matters in all the countries in which she has resided. She paid taxes everywhere, including 41 million euros in Spain itself. Of course, while this speaks well of her, it won't make the investigations into the remaining 14.5 million go away.

Shakira thus faces legal procedures against the Spanish states while also having to arrange the custody over her children with ex-partner Gerard Piqué. It's a terrible year for her, and we surely haven't heard the last of Shakira's problems yet.