Shakira Says She Put Her Career ‘on Hold’ for Ex Gerard Pique: ‘There Was a Lot of Sacrifice for Love’
The former couple ended their 11-year romance in June 2022
Bryan Steffy/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty
Shakira and Gerard Pique in 2014.Shakira is speaking candidly about her past relationship with longtime partner Gerard Piqué.
In a new interview with The Sunday Times, the singer, 47, opened up about life with Piqué, 37, before the end of their 11-year romance in June 2022.
“For a long time I put my career on hold, to be next to Gerard, so he could play football,” Shakira told the outlet of her ex, with whom she shares two children — sons Milan, 11, and Sasha, 9.
“There was a lot of sacrifice for love," added the "Hips Don't Lie" musician, who is set to release her latest album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, this month.
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Shakira and Gerard Pique in 2012.Related: Shakira and Gerard Piqué's Relationship Timeline
Shakira and Piqué first met in 2010 on the set of the songstress' "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" music video.
They later put all rumors about them being an item to rest by confirming their relationship on social media in March 2011.
In January 2013, they welcomed their first son, and their second child was born two years later in January 2015.
After 11 years together, the couple announced their separation in a joint statement in June 2022. "We regret to confirm that we are separating," the statement read. "We ask for privacy at this moment for the well-being of our children, who are our maximum priority. Thank you in advance for your understanding and respect."
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Shakira.Related: Shakira Never Thought She'd Split from Ex Gerard Piqué: 'I Believed in 'Till Death Do Us Part'
Last year, in a cover story for Billboard, Shakira spoke about how she believed in "'till death do us part" through her romance with Piqué.
"My priority was my home, my family. I believed in 'till death do us part.' I believed that dream," the Colombian superstar told the publication.
"My parents have been together, I don’t know, 50 years, and they love each other like the first day, with a love that’s unique and unrepeatable," she continued. "So I know it’s possible."
Added Shakira: "It’s what I wanted for myself and my children, but it didn’t happen."
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