Shakira

Shakira’s hips don’t lie… but neither do the 22 schools she built.

In 1997, Shakira was 20 years old.

She had just released Pies Descalzos, the album that made her a Latin American icon.

But instead of riding the wave of fame, she launched Fundación Pies Descalzos (The Barefoot Foundation).

Its mission was simple and personal: use education to transform lives.

Shakira’s family lost everything when she was 8.

She remembers her father taking her to see orphaned children in the park to show her what poverty really looked like.

So when she became a famous artist, she decided to help these kids.

Fast forward to today…

224,000+ children and young people benefited

12,000+ teachers trained

300+ public schools supported

22 schools built: 19 in Colombia, 2 in Haiti, 1 in Soweto, South Africa

The latest school, opened in Barrios Unidos, Cartagena, will educate 960 children.

26 classrooms, 2 labs, 1 tech room, 1 library, and a dining hall.
And Shakira isn’t a distant donor.

She goes to the schools. She talks to the kids. And she’s directly involved in the designs, the programs, the partnerships.

She once said: “Throughout my life I have seen how education works miracles... To see a child who had no chance of succeeding manage to get ahead, it’s more satisfying than winning a Grammy.”

And she’s won plenty. 4 Grammys. 15 Latin Grammys.

Hit after hit.

“Whenever, Wherever”

“Hips Don’t Lie”

“Waka Waka”

“Chantaje”

She’s the first woman to top Billboard’s Latin Album charts in four different decades.

But most importantly, she’s been pushing policy.

She’s a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Was a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics under Obama.

And she’s donated $40M toward early childhood education in Latin America.

Then her personal life blew up.

Her separation went viral. The Spanish tax authorities came after her. The headlines wouldn’t stop.

So she went back to the studio.

And in 2024, she released “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.”

She broke 14 Guinness World Records with just one of the songs.

She became the first woman to debut a Spanish-language track in the U.S. Top 10.

And launched one of the biggest tours of 2025, adding 28 dates in Mexico alone.