Music superstar Shakira has managed to avoid jail time by settling her £12.7m tax evasion case, just as the trial was about to kick off.
The 46 year old hitmaker had been accused by Spanish authorities of not paying a whopping £12.68 million in income tax between 2012 and 2014.
However, Shakira insisted that she was leading a "nomadic life" during those years and wasn't actually living in Spain.
The authorities claimed that Shakira bought a house in Barcelona in 2012, which they say was her family home, and they've been chasing her for the alleged unpaid taxes since 2017.
The Colombian singer was dating Spanish footballer Gerard Pique from 2011 until 2022, and they have two sons together, Milan, born in January 2013, and Sasha, born in January 2015.
A high-profile court case was set to start in Spain on Monday, 20 November, but before the trial – which was supposed to last until mid-December – could begin, Shakira announced that the case had been settled.
She didn't hold back in expressing her disdain for the Spanish authorities, though.
In a powerful statement, Shakira shared: "Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what's right and set a positive example for others.
"That often means taking the extra step in business and personal financial decisions to procure the absolute best counsel, including seeking the advice of the world's preeminent tax authorities PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited and Ernst and Young Global Limited who have been my advisors during this whole process.
"Unfortunately, and despite these efforts, tax authorities in Spain pursued a case against me as they have against many professional athletes and other high-profile individuals, draining those people's energy, time, and tranquility for years at a time.
"While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favour, 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 mum sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight."
She went on to say: "I need to move past the stress and emotional toll of the last several years and focus on the things I love – my kids and all the opportunities to come in my career, including my upcoming world tour and my new album, both of which I am extremely excited about."
The Hips Don't Lie singer added: "I admire tremendously those who have fought these injustices to the end, but for me, today, winning is getting my time back for my kids and my career."
Reuters reported on Monday: "Spanish authorities have pursued other major celebrities over tax evasion including football players such as Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Argentina's Lionel Messi and Brazilian-Spanish player Diego Costa, all settled and paid large fines.
"However, Spain's Supreme Court last month upheld the acquittal of Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso in another tax case, Alonso had refused to settle and eventually won at trial."
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