Have you ever wondered who helped Shakira become the star she is today? Behind many famous people there is someone who gives them love and support. For Shakira that person has always been her father William Mebarak Chadid.
William Mebarak Chadid is more than just Shakira’s father. He is a writer a teacher and a man who loves his family. His life is full of stories about hard work family and dreams.
In this article we will learn about William Mebarak Chadid’s early life his family his work and his special bond with Shakira. His story shows how a father can help a child follow big dreams.
William Mebarak Chadid Quick Bio
| Full Name | William Mebarak Chadid |
| Born | September 6, 1931 |
| Age | 95 years old (2026) |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | Colombian-American |
| Ethnicity | Lebanese |
| Religion | Catholic Christian |
| Profession | Author, teacher, journalist |
| Famous For | Shakira’s father |
| Wife | Nidia Ripoll |
| First Wife | Lucila Mebarak |
| Children | 10 children |
| Book | Al Viento y al Azar |
| Net Worth | Around $1 million |
| Current Life | Living privately with family |
William Mebarak Chadid Early Life
William Mebarak Chadid was born into a Lebanese family. His parents were Alberto Mebarak Spath and Isabel Chadid Baizer. His family kept their Lebanese culture alive even after moving to another country.
When William was about five years old his family moved from the United States to Colombia. This was a big change for him. He grew up learning new things while staying close to his family roots.
Living in Colombia helped William understand the value of family. He learned that kindness hard work and respect were very important.
These lessons stayed with him as he grew older. Later he shared the same values with his children especially Shakira.
William Mebarak Chadid Career Journey
William Mebarak Chadid had many jobs during his life. He was not a person who wanted to do only one thing. He enjoyed learning and trying new paths.
He worked as a journalist and radio announcer. He also became a literature teacher. His love for books and words was a big part of his life.
William also worked as a jeweler and insurance agent. These jobs helped him take care of his family and taught him many life lessons.
His different jobs show that William was a hardworking person. He always tried his best and wanted his children to do the same.
William Mebarak Chadid as an Author
Writing was one of William Mebarak Chadid’s biggest passions. He loved sharing his thoughts and feelings through words.
In 2011 he published a book called “Al Viento y al Azar.” The book was written in Spanish. It shared his memories ideas and views about life.
The book showed people another side of William. Many people knew him only as Shakira’s father. But his writing showed that he was also a creative person.
Shakira supported her father’s book. She admired his love for writing and his honest way of sharing stories.
William’s love for words may have helped Shakira too. She became famous not only for singing but also for writing many of her songs.
William Mebarak Chadid Marriage and Family Life
Family has always been very important to William Mebarak Chadid. He first married Lucila Mebarak. They had nine children together.
Later William married Nidia Ripoll. Together they welcomed their daughter Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll.
William’s family was large and full of different stories. Even though Shakira had different half-siblings she stayed close to many of them.
Growing up in a big family helped Shakira understand the meaning of love and support. These family lessons stayed with her as she became famous around the world.
William Mebarak Chadid Children and Shakira’s Siblings
William Mebarak Chadid has ten children. His children from his first marriage include Robin Moises Tonino Alberto Jose Antonio Lucila Ana Edward and Patricia.
Many of his children followed their own paths. Lucila became a doctor. Alberto became a lawyer. Jose Antonio worked as a businessman.
Tonino Mebarak became one of Shakira’s closest family members. He works with her team and supports her career.
William’s oldest son sadly died when he was only 19 years old after a motorcycle accident. This loss was very painful for the family.
Shakira was very young when this happened. Later she used her feelings and her father’s sadness as inspiration for one of her early songs.
William Mebarak Chadid’s Bond With Shakira
The bond between William Mebarak Chadid and Shakira is one of the most loved parts of his story. From a young age William always supported her dreams.
When Shakira was a child William gave her a typewriter. She used it to write poems and ideas. This small gift helped her discover her love for writing.
William believed in Shakira before the world knew her name. He encouraged her to be creative and follow what made her happy.
Today Shakira often talks about her father with love. She has called him her hero and one of the biggest inspirations in her life.
Their relationship shows how strong a father and daughter connection can be.
How William Mebarak Chadid Inspired Shakira’s Music
William Mebarak Chadid did more than support Shakira at home. He also helped shape the way she saw the world. His stories, culture, and life lessons became a part of her music.
When Shakira was young, she noticed her father’s deep emotions. One special moment became the idea behind her early song “Tus Gafas Oscuras.” The song was about the dark glasses William wore after losing his son.
Shakira was only nine years old when she wrote the song. She saw that her father was hiding his pain behind those glasses. She turned that feeling into music and showed how much she cared about him.
William’s Lebanese roots also had an effect on Shakira’s music. Her song “Ojos Así” included Arabic sounds. It showed the culture and family history she learned from her father.
William Mebarak Chadid’s Health Problems and Recovery
As William Mebarak Chadid got older, he faced some health problems. His family shared that he went through difficult times but stayed strong.
In recent years, William had falls, surgeries, and health issues like Covid. He was also taken to the hospital in 2024 because of pneumonia.
During these hard times, Shakira stayed close to her father. She helped him during his recovery and shared loving moments with fans.
Shakira once showed how she helped her father with simple memory exercises. She used word cards and spent time helping him practice. It was a small act but showed their strong bond.
William’s health journey reminded people that family support can bring comfort during difficult times.
William Mebarak Chadid’s Special Moments With Shakira
Over the years, Shakira has shared many sweet moments with her father. She often posts old pictures and loving messages about him.
One of their most special moments happened at the Latin Grammy event in 2011. William came on stage and sang “Mi Niña Bonita” for Shakira.
The song was a lullaby he used to sing when she was a little girl. The moment showed the love between a father and daughter in front of the world.
William has always been proud of Shakira. Even after she became famous, he continued to be the same loving father who supported her dreams.
William Mebarak Chadid Life Today in 2026
Today, William Mebarak Chadid lives a quiet life away from the spotlight. He spends most of his time with family and enjoys peaceful days.
After his health struggles, his family has focused on giving him love and care. Shakira continues to stay close and support him.
William does not look for fame. He prefers a simple life surrounded by the people he loves.
Many fans still care about William because they know the important role he played in Shakira’s life. His story is loved by people around the world.
Final Thoughts
William Mebarak Chadid has an estimated net worth of around $1 million. His money came from his many years of work as a writer, teacher, and businessman.
However, his biggest success is not about money. His greatest achievement is the family he built and the support he gave to Shakira.
William helped raise a daughter who became one of the most famous singers in the world. He gave her confidence and encouraged her to follow her dreams.
His legacy is about love, family, and wisdom. He showed that a parent’s support can make a huge difference in a child’s life.
(FAQs)
Who is William Mebarak Chadid and how old is he?
William Mebarak Chadid was born on September 6, 1931. He is around 95 years old in 2026. He is best known as the father of singer Shakira.
What religion does William Mebarak Chadid follow?
William Mebarak Chadid follows the Catholic Christian faith. His beliefs and family values played an important role in how he raised his children.
What is William Mebarak Chadid’s net worth?
William Mebarak Chadid’s estimated net worth is around $1 million. He earned money through his work as a writer, teacher, journalist, and businessman.
Who was William Mebarak Chadid’s first wife?
William Mebarak Chadid’s first wife was Lucila Mebarak. They had nine children together before their marriage ended.
How many children does William Mebarak Chadid have?
William Mebarak Chadid has ten children in total. His daughter Shakira is his only child with his second wife Nidia Ripoll. His other nine children are from his first marriage.
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