Shakira is leaving Barcelona behind as she plans to relocate to Miami with her two children after hatching out a custodial agreement with her ex Gerard Pique, it has been reported. According to TMZ, the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer’s legal team spent 12 hours working out a deal with Gerard’s reps, which resulted in Shakira being given the thumbs up to permanently move to the U.S. with their kids, Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven.
From what’s been gathered, the children will spend Christmas in Barcelona but it’s believed that once the new year rings in, they’ll be calling Miami their new home. While Gerard apparently wasn’t in support of the decision at first, per Daily Mail, the soccer player, who announced his retirement last week, surrendered to her wishes in the hopes of avoiding a nasty court battle.
Still over the moon on the news of Shakira moving to Miami with her kids 🥰♥️pic.twitter.com/0VH67c5aiQ
— Shakira’s Pet 🐺 | MONOTONÍA 🫀🗡️ (@sippinmycorona) November 8, 2022
An agreement wasn’t reached until Tuesday morning when both parties came to an understanding that worked in both of their favor. “Milan and Sasha will go with Shakira to Miami,” a source told the Spanish newspaper Rival La Vanguardia. “The children will spend Christmas in Barcelona but as soon as 2023 begins, the footballer will say goodbye and assume a painful sacrifice so that the youngsters don’t experience an even more traumatic separation between their parents.”
Shakira agreed that Gerard would be able to see the children whenever he wanted, indicating that he will be staying back in Barcelona. It’s mentioned that the traveling expenses will be paid by both parents whenever the athlete does decide to fly out to Miami, though Gerard would probably foot the bill himself, given his $80 million net worth.
The news would certainly be considered a win for Shakira, who has been eyeing her move to Miami for several months now. Over the summer, it was reported that the Colombian native had considered relocating amid the drama she found herself in Barcelona concerning claims she had failed to pay her taxes to the Spanish government and has since been ordered to stand trial.
After 8 years, Shakira is reportedly making her World Cup comeback this year at the opening ceremony in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/ivWIdiQ8Ig
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 8, 2022
RELATED: Shakira Has Reportedly Been Ordered To Stand Trial In Spain Over Tax Fraud Case
Shakira allegedly didn’t pay her taxes between 2012 to 2014, though the singer says she was actually living in the Bahamas during this time, which Spain officials disagree on. Now that she has to appear in court for the upcoming tax trial, Shakira could be facing up to eight years if she’s found guilty, as well as a multi-million euro fine.
In a previous statement, Shakira’s team says they’re confident that their client will be able to prove her innocence once the trial commences.