Shakira Makes Last-minute Deal In Spanish Tax Fraud Case

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On the day her tax evasion trial was set to begin in Barcelona, Shakira announced she had struck a deal with Spanish prosecutors and reached a settlement years of litigation.

Spanish authorities had accused Shakira of failing to pay more than 14.5 million euros (around $15.8 million) in income taxes between 2012 and 2014. On Monday, the Colombian singer told the presiding judge that she had reached an agreement with prosecutors. According to the Associated Press, Shakira will receive a suspended sentence of three years and a fine of 7.3 million euros as part of the deal.

The public prosecutor’s office had initially demanded a prison sentence of eight years and a fine of 24 million euros.

Shakira, whose real name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, rejected a deal offered to her by prosecutors in July 2022. The singer continues to maintain her innocence in the matter, but said she ultimately decided to reach a settlement with Spanish authorities to avoid further burdening her family.

“Although I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favor, I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter in the best interests of my children, which their children do not “Mom sacrificed her personal well-being in this fight,” Shakira said in a statement on Monday.

She added: “I admire immensely those who fought these injustices to the end, but for me, victory today means reclaiming my time for my children and my career.”

In return for the remission of the sentence, Shakira must pay an additional 432,000 euros. Her legal filing also reveals that she was found guilty of tax fraud – which could impact various tax evasion charges the singer is still facing.

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According to Spanish law, anyone who stays in the country for more than six months is considered a resident and must pay taxes. Prosecutors alleged that Shakira lived in Spain between 2012 and 2014, although her official residence was listed as the Bahamas. Spanish officials pointed to a house in Barcelona that Shakira reportedly bought in 2012, where the singer and her then-partner, Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué, lived.

Shakira’s lawyers argued that the singer spent long stretches outside the country during this time, including extended periods in the United States, where she worked as a trainer and judge on NBC “The voice.”

While Shakira’s tax woes aren’t over yet – in September, Spanish authorities charged her with alleged tax evasion on her 2018 income – the 46-year-old pop star otherwise had a victorious 2023. She was featured at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards honored with the “Video Vanguard” award, making her the first South American artist to win the lifetime achievement award. Earlier this year, she released a record-breaking collaboration with Argentine DJ Bizarrap, a pointed dissident track aimed at her ex Piqué. The couple, who had been together for 11 years, announced their split in June 2022 amid rumors that the soccer player had cheated on Shakira with a woman more than 20 years younger.

Last week, The song earned Shakira a Latin Grammy for Song of the Year. The award was presented to her by Piqué’s on-field rival, Sergio Ramos. in front of her and Piqué’s two sons, who were sitting in the audience.