The internationally acclaimed music sensation, Shakira, was recently seen in Barranquilla, exiting her parents’ residence with her two adorable children, Milan and Sasha. This unexpected visit was primarily sparked by concerns regarding her father, William Mebarak‘s health, who has been grappling with several health issues over the past year.
The “Hips Don’t Lie” singer made a quiet arrival in Barranquilla on the fateful Friday of October 13, 2023. This heartwarming visit was primarily focused on the health and well-being of her father, who has been dealing with a series of health complications since 2022.
In the previous year, William Mebarak found himself in the hospital on two separate occasions following a severe fall that resulted in injuries to his hip and other parts of his body. This unfortunate incident served as a wake-up call for Shakira and her family, who rallied around the patriarch during his recovery.
The health status of Shakira’s father has significantly influenced the singer’s life decisions. It was a crucial factor that led her to postpone her planned relocation to Miami earlier in the year. The bond between Shakira and her family is unbreakable, and she wouldn’t let any obstacle prevent her from supporting her father in his time of need.
Shakira’s deep affection and concern for her father were further emphasized in April when she left her residence in Barcelona, Spain. During her father’s journey from Spain to Colombia, he was accompanied by a team of healthcare professionals who closely monitored his health throughout the trip.
In a cover story for People en Español, the three-time Grammy winner revealed that her father was “gravely injured in an accident” during her eldest son’s first communion. “Everything happened at once,” she shared with the outlet. “My home was falling apart. I was finding out through the press that I had been betrayed while my dad was in the ICU.”
Shakira expressed feeling desolate and struggling to “survive” everything she was going through. The star referred to her dad as her “best friend,” and his recovery has been “very hard and slow.”
“He has overcome COVID once, two accidents, one pneumonia, and five surgeries—all of this at 91 years of age, in less than six months,” she disclosed. “My dad is the biggest example of resilience, and my mother has been by his side day and night. They have both been a reflection of that dream that didn’t come true for me. But I hope they are role models for my kids of love, of patience in relationships, of absolute devotion and zest for life.”