Shakira is embracing the lessons from heartbreak and pushing forward.

The Colombian songstress has been candid about the struggles and obstacles she's faced since parting ways with her partner of 11 years, former footballer Gerard Piqué. The duo, parents to two children, publicly announced their separation in 2022.

In a recent interview with Marie Claire UK published on April 25, the Latin icon discusses her beliefs in love and her previous perception that finding a life partner was paramount.

"Deep down, I always prioritized having a life partner," Shakira shares. "I envisioned a man like my father, someone to build a family with and share a lifelong commitment — much like my parents, who still share a strong bond. I made sacrifices along the way. I remained faithful. Yet, life doesn’t always unfold as expected. You adapt and move forward."

Although Shakira references a "husband," she and Piqué were never formally married. Nonetheless, their relationship spanned more than a decade.

Following their public separation, Shakira has provided some perspective on her breakup with Spanish athlete Gerard Piqué — even seeming to criticize him and his girlfriend, Clara Chia Marti, in her song “BZRP Music Sessions #53.” In the lyrics, she sings, “I’m too good for you and that’s why you’re with someone just like you.”

However, despite these sentiments, Shakira hasn't lost faith in love.

"I can't deny my belief in love when I see the enduring bond of my parents, who have been together for over 50 years, still gazing into each other's eyes, holding hands, and inseparable," Shakira shares with Marie Claire UK. "I've witnessed true love; I just haven't been fortunate in that aspect myself. Monogamy may seem idealistic, but I've found fulfillment in other ways — through the love of my fans, my children, and genuine friendships. Oscar Wilde once said that friendship is the purest form of love, and I agree wholeheartedly."

She adds, "Friendship endures longer — at least in my experience. My romantic relationship lasted 12 years, but my friends will stand by me for a lifetime. It's during tough times that I've realized the immense value of true friendship."

Reflecting on Shakira and Gerard Piqué's relationship, let's take a closer look at their journey together.

2010: Shakira and Gerard Piqué meet

Shakira and the ex-FC Barcelona player crossed paths on the set of her "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" music video back in 2010. This track was chosen as the official anthem for the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa.

During a "60 Minutes" interview in 2020, Shakira reminisced about their initial encounter.

"I wasn't really into soccer, so I didn't recognize him," she recalled. "But when I saw the video, I thought, 'Hmm, he's quite attractive.' And then fate brought us together when someone decided to introduce us."

2011: Shakira and Piqué go public

The pair kept their relationship private until 2011 when they started making public appearances together.

In May 2021, Piqué made a surprise appearance onstage during one of Shakira's concerts in Barcelona. Their affectionate display included kisses and hugs, making their relationship more overt to the public eye.

2012: Shakira is pregnant

In September 2012, Shakira publicly announced that she and Piqué were expecting their first child.

“Gerard and I are thrilled as we await the arrival of our first baby!” she shared on her Facebook page. “We've chosen to prioritize this special moment in our lives and postpone all upcoming promotional activities for the time being.”

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In November 2012, Shakira posted a photo showcasing her pregnant belly, marking the couple's anticipation of their first child together.

"I wouldn't mind another 9 months like this," she captioned the picture.

2013: They welcome first son together

The couple welcomed their first son, Milan, into the world on Jan. 22, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain.

Shakira shared the joyful news on her website, revealing that Milan weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces at birth.

Explaining the name choice, she wrote, “Milan signifies dear, loving, and gracious in Slavic; it means eager and laborious in Ancient Roman, and it represents unification in Sanskrit.”

Adding a touch of humor, she mentioned, “Just like his father, baby Milan joined FC Barcelona right from birth.” Piqué was a defender for FC Barcelona, a prominent team in the Spanish La Liga. Mebarak is Shakira's surname.

Less than a month after his birth, Milan attended his first soccer match. Shakira shared the moment on Instagram, captioning it, "His first outing, at Camp Nou, watching his daddy score!"

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2014: Shakira says they don't plan on getting married

During a 2014 interview with Glamour, Shakira was questioned about the possibility of marrying Piqué.

“We already possess what’s fundamental, you know? We share a bond, a deep affection for each other, and a child,” she responded. “I believe those elements of our relationship are firmly rooted, and marriage won’t alter them. However, if I do decide to marry, he's the one I would choose.”

2015: They welcome their second son together

On January 29, 2015, at 9:54 pm in Barcelona, Spain, the couple welcomed their second child, son Sasha Piqué Mebarak.

Announcing the name's significance, they shared, “Sasha is of Greek and Russian origin, symbolizing ‘defender of mankind’ and ‘warrior.’” This news was shared on Shakira's website and Instagram, with confirmation from the hospital that both mother and child were in excellent health.

2017: Shakira is head over heels

In 2017, Shakira expressed her deep love in the song "Me Enamoré," which translates to "I fell in love."

The lyrics vividly describe their initial meeting and the immediate strong bond they formed. She also mentions her desire to have ten children together, although she is happy and fulfilled with their two kids.

Towards the end of the music video, Piqué makes a cameo appearance, adding a personal touch to the song's narrative.

2020: Shakira and Piqué discuss marriage once again

During their joint "60 Minutes" interview before her Super Bowl halftime performance, Shakira and Piqué opened up about their choice to not tie the knot despite being together for nearly a decade.

"To be honest, the idea of marriage terrifies me. I don't want him to view me as the wife. I prefer him seeing me as his girlfriend," she candidly shared. "His partner, his girlfriend. It adds a bit of intrigue, you know? I want to keep him guessing, keep things exciting. I want him to believe that anything is possible based on how we behave."

2022: They announce their separation

On June 4, 2022, Shakira and Piqué officially announced their separation in a statement to YEPPOST.

“We sadly confirm that we are parting ways,” the statement read. “We prioritize the well-being of our children above all else, and we kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this time. Thank you for your support.”

In September of the same year, Shakira broke her silence on their separation for the first time.

"I feel that these details are too personal to share publicly, especially at this moment when everything is still so fresh and emotional. I poured my heart and soul into this relationship and my family," she shared with Elle.

"I've chosen to stay quiet and process everything. It's challenging to discuss it openly, particularly because I'm still navigating through it, and being in the public eye adds another layer. Our separation isn't ordinary, and it's been incredibly tough, not only for me but also for my children. It's a difficult journey."

2023: Shakira writes about heartbreak

In January 2013, Shakira vented her emotions through her song “BZRP Music Sessions #53” with DJ Bizarrap, seemingly addressing her ex and expressing that she was too good for him. The lyrics also cleverly reference Piqué's girlfriend, Clara Chia Martí, in a wordplay within the song.

She also collaborated with Karol G on the track “TQG,” which delves into the pain of seeing her ex with his new girlfriend.

During a March 2023 interview with Jimmy Fallon, Shakira revealed how “BZRP Music Session #53” became a way for her to process her feelings post-split.

"This song has become an anthem for many women out there," she shared. "Following my separation, I had a challenging year, and creating this song became incredibly important to me. It served as a healthy outlet for my emotions."

2024: Shakira says she put her career 'on hold' for Piqué

The singer is gearing up to release her upcoming album titled “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” which translates to “Women No Longer Cry.” In a recent interview with the Sunday Times in March 2024, she revealed that she had temporarily sidelined her career to support her ex-partner.

"I prioritized being by Gerard's side so he could pursue his football career, which meant putting my own career on hold for a significant period," she disclosed. "There were many sacrifices made for the sake of love."

She went on to explain that the album, scheduled for release on March 22, symbolizes the transformation of pain into creativity, frustration into productivity, anger into passion, and vulnerability into resilience.

"So many aspects of my life seemed to crumble right before my eyes, and I had to reconstruct myself, gathering the shattered pieces and piecing them back together. Music was the adhesive that held everything together," she reflected.

2024: Shakira says Piqué 'dragged' her down

In a March interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, Shakira opened up about her life as a single, working mother and the challenges she faces, particularly feeling weighed down by her past relationship.

"It's definitely more demanding because now I'm solely responsible for these two children, who rely on me so much," she shared. "Being a single mother without a partner at home to share the load is tough."

She continued, expressing a sense of liberation from not having a husband: "In some ways, it's a relief not having a spouse because... I don't know, it felt like a weight dragging me down. Now, I feel motivated to work. I have the urge to write songs and create music. It's become a compulsive need for me, one that I didn't experience before."