Colombian pop star Shakira has broken her silence regarding her decision to settle her high-profile $15 million Spanish tax fraud case, emphasizing that her choice was driven by her desire to protect her children, not an admission of guilt.
In a letter published in El Mundo, Shakira, 47, expressed her frustration, accusing Spanish authorities of targeting her to enhance their image. She settled the case in November 2023, avoiding a possible eight-year prison sentence by agreeing to pay a $7.5 million fine, along with a suspended three-year sentence.
Shakira, who denied wrongdoing, said the Spanish tax agency created a “contrived story” about her residency, leading to false obligations. She explained that she only settled to avoid further stress on her children, Milan, 11, and Sasha, 9.
“I need them to know that I made the decisions I made to protect them, to be by their side and to get on with my life. Not out of cowardice or guilt,” Shakira wrote.
The singer added that Spanish authorities were more interested in public spectacle than fairness, criticizing their tactics of intimidation and “bullying” public figures. Shakira felt compelled to speak out to reclaim her narrative, stating, “No one can write my story for me.”
