Shakira Cleared in Latest Spanish Tax Dispute After 8-Year Legal Battle

Colombian pop star Shakira has won a major legal victory in Spain after a court dismissed a long-running tax dispute that lasted nearly eight years. The ruling ends one of the most closely watched celebrity financial cases in Europe. The court failed to prove she lived in the county for 183 days, which would make her a resident of the county, owing income taxes.

The Treasury of Spain will reimburse Shakira approximately $64 million.

"This decision comes after an eight-year ordeal that has taken an unacceptable toll, reflecting a lack of rigor in administrative practice," Shakira‘s lawyer, Jose Luis Prada, said in a statement.

The same statement quoted Shakira as saying she hoped the ruling would set a precedent for "thousands of ordinary citizens who are abused and crushed every day by a system that presumes them guilty and forces them to prove their innocence while facing financial and emotional ruin."

She faced previous legal battles. In 2023, Shakira reached a deal with prosecutors to avoid a trial in Barcelona over charges she failed to pay 14.5 million euros in Spanish income tax between 2012 and 2014. As part of the agreement, she accepted the charges and paid more than 7.3 million euros.

Preparing for the World Cup's First Halftime Show

Next up, Shakira, Madonna, and K-pop stars BTS will headline the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19. The official song for the World Cup is "Dai Dai." She's also recorded "Waka Waka" and "La La La" for previous World Cups.

Madonna will release a new album, "Confessions II" on July 3, a follow-up to the Grammy-winning "Confessions on a Dance Floor."



The World Cup competition is being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, starting June 11.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 11:01 AM.