Shakira has achieved another historic milestone in her legendary music career by receiving the inaugural Billboard Global Touring Icon Award on November 3, 2025, during the 2025 Billboard Live Music Summit in West Hollywood, California. The honor recognizes her record-breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which has become the highest-grossing Latin tour ever by a female artist and the second-highest-grossing Latin tour overall, surpassed only by Luis Miguel’s 2023-24 tour. Presented by her legendary longtime tour manager Marty Hom—who has previously worked with iconic artists including Fleetwood Mac, Barbra Streisand, and The Rolling Stones—the award celebrates not just commercial success but artistic commitment, as Shakira’s 82-show stadium tour has generated $327.4 million in revenue from its first 64 shows and sold 2.5 million tickets. The recognition comes as the 48-year-old Colombian superstar approaches the tour’s December conclusion, a triumphant capstone to a career spanning over three decades that has established her as the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time with more than 70 million albums sold globally. Upon accepting the award backstage during her Cali, Colombia rehearsals, Shakira dedicated it to her entire team—dancers, musicians, and crew—while expressing gratitude to her Latin community and fans for making her feel “like I’m just beginning my career” after 30 years in the industry. With four Grammy Awards, 15 Latin Grammy Awards, and record-breaking achievements across virtually every global music market, Shakira’s Global Touring Icon Award represents validation of both her artistic legacy and her unprecedented touring achievement.
History Made: Inaugural Global Touring Icon Award
Award: Billboard Global Touring Icon Award (Inaugural) | Date Presented: November 3, 2025 | Event: 2025 Billboard Live Music Summit | Location: West Hollywood, California | Presented By: Marty Hom, Shakira’s longtime tour manager | Award Citation: Historic Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour achievement
Shakira received the inaugural Billboard Global Touring Icon Award, a historic recognition establishing her as the first artist honored with this prestigious accolade. The award specifically celebrates her record-breaking Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which commenced in February 2024 and continues through December 2025, spanning 82 stadium shows across multiple continents.
Upon accepting the award backstage during her Cali, Colombia rehearsals, Shakira dedicated the honor to her entire touring team—dancers, musicians, technical crew, and support staff—acknowledging their collective effort in achieving record-breaking success. “My band, my dancers, my crew, my staff, my team—everyone who’s worked so hard on this tour. We’ve come so far, we’ve overcome so many obstacles, and here we are making history,” she expressed with genuine emotion.
Record-Breaking Tour Achievements
Tour Title: Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour | Commencement: February 2024 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) | Scheduled Conclusion: December 2025 (Buenos Aires, Argentina) | Total Shows: 82 stadium performances | Revenue (First 64 Shows): $327.4 million | Tickets Sold: 2.5 million | Production Company: Live Nation
The Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour has achieved unprecedented commercial success, generating $327.4 million in revenue from 64 out of 82 planned shows and selling 2.5 million tickets. These statistics position the tour as the highest-grossing Latin tour ever by a female artist and the second-highest-grossing Latin tour overall, surpassed only by Luis Miguel’s 2023-24 tour which accumulated $409.5 million across its entire run.
Industry analysts project that upon conclusion of the tour’s remaining December shows, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran could potentially claim the top position as the highest-grossing Latin tour ever, regardless of artist gender. This achievement would represent a historic milestone validating 30 years of Shakira’s artistic commitment and global cultural impact.
Shakira: Life and Early Career
Full Name: Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll | Born: February 2, 1977 (Age 48) | Birthplace: Barranquilla, Colombia | Nationality: Colombian | Early Talent: Singer, dancer, guitarist from childhood | Languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, and other languages
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 2, 1977, emerging from a multicultural family environment that shaped her artistic sensibilities. Her father, William Mebarak Chadid (Lebanesse-American), and her mother, Nidia Ripoll Torrado (Colombian), raised her in an intellectually stimulating, artistic household. Shakira demonstrated prodigious musical talent from childhood, learning to play guitar by age six and composing her first song “Titis y flores” at age eight.
Her early career was marked by participation in Colombian television shows and competitions, establishing her reputation as a gifted young performer. However, her breakthrough came with the 1991 album Magia, which failed commercially, leading to her departure from her initial record label. This setback proved transformative—Shakira returned with greater artistic clarity and personal conviction, ultimately achieving international recognition through her unique fusion of Latin, rock, and Arabic musical influences.
International Success and Global Phenomenon
Breakthrough Album: Pies Descalzos (1995) – 3+ million copies sold | International Star: Laundry Service (2001) – 200,000+ copies first week; featured “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes” | All-Time Sales: 70+ million albums worldwide | Status: Highest-selling Colombian artist of all time
The release of Pies Descalzos (meaning “Bare Feet”) in 1995 established Shakira’s signature musical identity—blending Latin rhythms, rock instrumentation, and Arabic influences into a distinctive, immediately recognizable sound. The album’s success sparked her 1995-1997 Tour Pies Descalzos, an 118-show international touring campaign that established her reputation as a captivating live performer.
In 2001, Shakira released her first English-language album Laundry Service, which catapulted her to international superstardom. The album reached #3 on Billboard charts, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week. Singles “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes” became global phenomena, establishing Shakira as a crossover artist capable of dominating both Latin and mainstream pop markets simultaneously. With 70+ million albums sold globally and recognition as the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time, Shakira’s commercial impact has proven unparalleled within her demographic.
Music Career Highlights and Iconic Hits
Career-Defining Albums:
– Pies Descalzos (1995): 3+ million copies sold, established her signature sound
– Dónde Están Los Ladrones? (1998): Reached top of Billboard Latin charts
– Shakira: MTV Unplugged (2000): Earned her first Grammy Award
– Laundry Service (2001): International breakthrough; #3 Billboard chart; 200,000+ first-week sales
– She Wolf (2009): “She Wolf” single hit #15 on Billboard, achieved platinum status
– Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024): Twelfth studio album, tour generating record-breaking revenue
Iconic Hit Singles:
– “Whenever, Wherever” (2001): Global smash, best-selling English single in France for 2000s decade
– “Hips Don’t Lie” (featuring Wyclef Jean, 2006): 9 weeks at #1 in Australia, defining career moment
– “Underneath Your Clothes” (2001): Worldwide hit, established her lyrical credibility
– “Waka Waka” (2010): FIFA World Cup anthem, global phenomenon
– “Try Everything” (2016): Disney’s Zootopia soundtrack, reached #1 on Billboard Japan
Awards and Recognition
Grammy Awards: 4 Grammy Awards | Latin Grammy Awards: 15 Latin Grammy Awards (including 3 Song of the Year wins) | American Music Awards: Multiple wins | MTV Video Music Awards: 5 MTV VMA Latin America Awards (2002) including Best Female Artist, Best Pop Artist, Video of the Year
Shakira’s award recognition spans virtually every major music industry organization, validating her artistic achievements across genres and languages. Her Grammy and Latin Grammy wins acknowledge her songwriting sophistication, vocal artistry, and cultural impact, while MTV and American Music Awards recognition confirms her mainstream commercial appeal.
Global Records and Achievements
Continental Achievements:
– Europe: Best-selling Latin female artist in UK (8.1M certified), France (5.7M certified), Spain (6.71M), Germany (6.4M)
– Asia: Best-selling Latin female artist in Asian history; best-selling album (Laundry Service in Turkey)
– Oceania: Best-selling Latin female artist in Australia (1.76M certified) and New Zealand (345,000 certified)
– Africa: Highest concert attendance (100,000 at Egyptian Pyramids); first Latina to certify record in Africa
– Special Achievements: First Latin female artist to perform at Glastonbury; first to be nominated for Brit Award; first Spanish-language female song certified in UK
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Shakira’s 30-year career has transcended entertainment, establishing her as a global cultural ambassador for Colombian and Latin American identity. Her music has introduced millions to Latin rhythms, Spanish language artistry, and Latin American perspective within mainstream global culture. Beyond commercial success, Shakira’s UNICEF ambassadorial work, particularly the Pies Descalzos Foundation supporting disadvantaged Colombian children, reflects her commitment to social responsibility.
The Billboard Global Touring Icon Award represents validation of Shakira’s unprecedented achievement—not merely as a successful recording artist but as a global touring force capable of filling stadiums across continents, generating record-breaking revenue, and maintaining audience devotion spanning three decades. As she approaches 50 years old, Shakira continues defying ageism within entertainment, proving that artistic vitality and commercial appeal remain accessible to women of all ages.
In her own words following the award acceptance, Shakira expressed amazement at her ongoing relevance: “I never imagined, even in my wildest dreams, that I would fill stadiums 30 years into my career… I feel like I’m just beginning my career, and it’s astonishing.” This sentiment perfectly captures her legacy—a globally recognized artist who continues evolving, innovating, and captivating audiences worldwide.
