In the midst of a looming possibility of an eight-year jail term, the renowned singer, Shakira, has come to an agreement with Spanish prosecutors on Monday, opting to settle her multi-million dollar tax dispute by paying a hefty $7.5 million fine.
Facing a tax fraud trial in Barcelona, the "Hips Don't Lie" artist informed presiding magistrate José Manuel del Amo on the first day that she accepted the settlement, as reported by various sources including the BBC, The New York Times, and the Associated Press.
As part of the deal, Shakira receives a three-year suspended sentence along with the substantial fine. Prosecutors had accused the Colombian singer of six counts of tax fraud, alleging she failed to pay 14.5 million euros ($15.8 million) in income taxes between 2012 and 2014—an accusation she vehemently denies. The potential consequences included up to eight years in jail and a fine of up to $26 million if found guilty.
In a lengthy statement obtained by PEOPLE, the 46-year-old emphasized that her decision to settle was driven by the well-being of her children, stating, "I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight."
Despite settling, Shakira maintained her innocence, expressing in her statement, “Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what’s right and set a positive example for others.”
Shakira took the opportunity to criticize the Spanish tax authorities, claiming they pursued the case against her, as they have done with many professional athletes and high-profile individuals, causing significant distress over the years.
At the core of the case was Shakira's residency from 2012 to 2014, with prosecutors contending that Spain was her main residence, but she listed it elsewhere to evade taxes. Under Spanish law, individuals spending more than six months in the country are considered residents for tax purposes. Prosecutors alleged that Shakira purchased a house in Barcelona in 2012, which served as a family home for her and then-partner, Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué.
In a separate 2019 case, Piqué was fined €2.1 million by the Spanish national court for tax evasion between 2008 and 2010.
Shakira, speaking to Elle magazine in September 2022, asserted, "The Spanish tax authorities saw that I was dating a Spanish citizen and started to salivate. It's clear they wanted to go after that money no matter what."
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