Shakira's Kids: 5 Things You May Not Know
In case anyone needed reminding, Shakira proved exactly why she's a global sensation with her 2020 Super Bowl halftime performance with Jennifer Lopez. But beyond singing and dancing across some of the world's biggest stages, Shakira puts her energy into another worthwhile area: parenting. Shakira and her long-term boyfriend Gerard Piqué have two sons together: Milan, 7, and Sasha, 5. Back in March 2016, Shakira told PopSugar that being a parent of two "shifted the axis of [her] universe." She explained, "Everything is centered around them now. It's a new dimension of love, at least for me, that's indescribable ... Before I was my own boss, but I have two tiny bosses to answer to now."
Considering their parents are a three-time Grammy winner and World Cup-winning soccer player, Milan and Sasha come from a pretty talented lineage. They're already taking after Shakira and Piqué too, as frequently illustrated on the proud parents' Instagram pages. Here are five things fans should know about these youngsters.
Their names have strong meanings
Shakira and Gerard Piqué's first son, Milan Piqué Mebarak, was born on January 22, 2013. According to Real Style Network, the singer announced the news on her personal website and explained that Milan's name "means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification." Just like his older brother, Shakira's second son was born in January (on the 30th in 2015) and he has a powerful name: Sasha Piqué Mebarak. Shakira announced the news with an Instagram post written in both English and Spanish, explaining the meaning of the moniker: "The name Sasha is of Greek and Russian descent and means 'defender of mankind' and 'warrior.'"
The boys have both their father and mother's last names. For anyone wondering, the couple is not married and it doesn't sound like they plan on changing that. Shakira told 60 Minutes in January, "To tell you the truth, marriage scares the s**t out of me. I don't want him to see me as the wife. I'd rather him see me as his girlfriend. His lover, his girlfriend. It's like a little forbidden fruit, you know?" Even so, they don't need a legal ceremony to prove their bond is strong.
Shakira's kids are taking after their soccer star dad
Shakira's boyfriend Gerard Piqué is a professional soccer player — and his sons are already his mini-mes. As Shakira frequently shared on Instagram, Sasha and Milan are little athletes, whether shooting a basketball in the backyard, playing tennis, or bouncing exercise balls while she works out. The Daily Mail shared photos from Shakira and Piqué at Milan and Sasha's youth soccer practice in Miami in December 2019. Even back when Sasha was born, Shakira 'grammed a photo of his little foot and wrote in the caption, "I have Daddy's feet, it looks like I've been playing football my whole life."
When they're not playing, these boys are still fans of the game. Shakira shared IG photos of the boys in jerseys from Colombia, her birthplace. Whether they're cheering on their dad or their mom's home countries, these kids are sports lovers at heart.
But they're also mom's biggest fans
While Shakira's sons are growing up with an appreciation for their dad's soccer skills, they've also been exposed to their mom's musical world. On Instagram, the 43-year-old shared a photo of herself playing guitar for little Sasha and writing that he was "into the music." Back in 2013, she even brought Milan with her to work on The Voice, posting photos from the judge's chair and joking in one of the captions, "Uh oh, I don't think he liked that performance! #NBCTheVoice #5thCoach." And she used to bring baby Milan with her to the recording studio as well.
Only time will tell if they've got their mom's pipes, but in the very least, they've got her rhythm. In March 2017, Shakira shared a video holding Sasha and swaying to music, writing, "My favorite Bachata dancer." His dance moves will surely only get better with age. And if the Super Bowl halftime show taught us anything, it's that talent can run in famous families — did you hear Jennifer Lopez's daughter Emme nail her vocals on stage? Musical abilities very well may be genetic.
The family keeps in touch with Facetime, no matter how busy they get
Like any working parent, Shakira strives to find a balance between career and family. Even so, she talked Viva magazine in September 2019 about going long periods of time without her sons around. She explained (via Us Weekly), "Sometimes it's very hard when you can not see your sons for a month or even more." But despite being away, she tries to maintain that close connection and bond, thanks to technology. She said, "It is so hard. But we call each other via FaceTime, so we are in constant communication, that helps."
In March 2016, Shakira talked to PopSugar about balancing responsibilities with Gerard Piqué and working as a team. "He's got his feet on the ground and is very practical about problem-solving," she explained. "When I get stressed about how to organize things or juggle it all, he helps put it all in perspective. And he is my biggest support. We're both very hands-on parents, so it never feels like one is carrying the entire load on their own." Shakira also joked he gives them a little too much chocolate — which honestly, doesn't sound like a bad thing to us.
Shakira's boys already helped support some major causes
Sure, Shakira and Gerard Piqué's kids aren't even ten years old yet, but they're already having an impact on a global scale (with their parents' help, obviously). For instance, when Shakira was pregnant with each of her children, she decided to host a "World Baby Shower" to raise funds for UNICEF, writing on Instagram in 2015, "Your generosity made the last World Baby Shower with @UNICEF a huge success! Let's see if we can help even more kids in need this year." According to UNICEF, the family raised around $150,000 to go towards fighting disease and malnutrition in children during the second shower.
Back when Sasha was a baby, Shakira also shared a photo of him supporting a campaign for global education, writing, "Mommy, I also want education for all children around the world!! It's time for change! Not a moment to lose!! #UpForSchool." And tying into that mission, she brought Milan to the opening of a school in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2014 when he was just a toddler.
While it wouldn't be great to add any pressure on these young boys to fill their parents' very big dancing and soccer shoes, it already seems like their potential is endless and they're being raised with strong values. And they've got two parents who will support them, no matter if they decide to take their skills to the stage, the field, or anywhere else.