Shakira, the Colombian pop superstar, is set to be honored as Billboard’s Woman of the Year at the inaugural Latin Women in Music gala. This two-hour special, known as Mujeres Latinas en la Música, will air on May 7 on Telemundo, celebrating Latin female artists, executives, and creatives who advocate for positive change, inclusion, and gender parity in the music industry. Shakira’s illustrious career spans over two decades, marked by 11 studio albums and multiple Latin Grammys. In 2023, her collaboration “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” debuted at number nine on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, making her the first woman with a Spanish-language track to enter the top 10.

With over 95 million records sold worldwide, Shakira stands as the top-selling female Latin artist of all time, embodying empowerment and artistic brilliance. Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin Español, praised Shakira’s influence: “She created a movement all on her own and continues to be more relevant than ever today.” Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy at Telemundo, hailed Shakira for shaping Latin music’s diverse landscape and breaking barriers with her passion and creativity.

Aside from her musical achievements, Shakira’s personal life has been under scrutiny, notably her recent split from long-time partner Gerard Piqué after 11 years together. Amidst this upheaval and a pending trial for alleged tax fraud in Spain, Shakira has advocated fiercely for her children’s privacy. In a  Instagram post, she requested media respect for her sons’ right to a normal childhood away from constant paparazzi scrutiny. The move from Barcelona to Miami reflects her commitment to providing stability and happiness for Milan and Sasha, her sons, as they embark on a new chapter of their lives surrounded by family, friends, and the sea.