Colombian pop star Shakira and her longtime partner, Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, are separating.
“We regret to confirm that we are separating. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we request respect for (our) privacy. Thank you for your understanding,” the couple said in a joint statement Saturday.
The 45-year-old “Hips don’t lie” singer and 35-year-old FC Barcelona defender have been together for 11 years and share two children, nine-year-old Milan and seven-year-old Sasha.
The two met when the footballer featured in a music video for her 2010 World Cup song “Waka Waka.”
It comes as Shakira faces a trial over alleged tax fraud charges in Spain after she lost an appeal last month.
Prosecutors claim she failed to pay up to 14.5 million euros (£12.4m) in tax on income earned between 2012 and 2014.
Her legal team has said they will keep defending her case with solid legal arguments.
“Shakira’s conduct on tax matters has always been impeccable in all the countries she had to pay taxes and she has trusted and followed faithfully the recommendations of the best specialists and advisers,” they said in a statement.
