Shakira thanks fans for messages as her 95-year-old father's health worries grow

A short message after a difficult week

Shakira has posted a brief message of thanks from Barranquilla, her hometown, where she has travelled to be close to her father, William Mebarak, who is 95. La Razón reports that she went there urgently. The message thanks people for their support during what she called a difficult week, and it does not name her father. Accounts differ on where it appeared: EL PAÍS reports Instagram Stories and X, La Razón describes an Instagram story, and ABC Tu Diario en Español places a post on X on the night of Sunday, 8 November. The wording is identical in all three. She gives no update on his condition and does not confirm reports of a new hospital admission.

Her post read:

“Thank you all for your messages of affection in this difficult week. My family and I are deeply grateful.”

Conflicting accounts of his condition

Reports about William Mebarak's health have circulated for several days, and outlets disagree on whether he is in hospital or at home. Telemundo's show Al rojo vivo reported, citing sources, that Shakira's trip could be linked to a relapse, though she has not confirmed this. On 3 November, family sources told the Colombian radio station La FM that he was at his residence with relatives and not admitted to a care facility. Those sources said he was receiving his usual treatments and that they were not authorised to give further official statements because the matter is private. Images published by the Colombian outlet Zona Cero on 6 November showed Shakira beside him during a walk in Barranquilla, with him in a wheelchair and three health professionals assisting him. ABC reports that the images show her holding his hand. Her presence in Colombia had already raised questions about the purpose of her trip.

Earlier health problems

William Mebarak has faced several health problems in recent years. In 2023 he underwent surgery for hydrocephalus, during which a valve was implanted to drain fluid from his brain. In 2024 he was admitted with pneumonia. In May 2026 an ischemic episode required medical attention again. EL PAÍS notes that his health was among the reasons her move to Miami with her two sons was delayed after her separation from Gerard Piqué, announced in June 2022 after 12 years together. She left Barcelona in April 2023.

Support from fans and friends

The post drew many messages from fans, some of whom wrote that she had been the soundtrack of their lives and that now it was their turn to support her, according to ABC. Colombian singer Carlos Vives, a native of Santa Marta and a close friend of Shakira, spoke to Europa Press at the Forbes Iberoamerican Summit 2026 in Madrid this week. He said:

“Those moments are very difficult. Of course I am with her, because we have also been through that, and she has been doing well for some time.”

Vives added that they have a close bond that has lasted for years and that they sometimes have the chance to talk. La Razón reports that neither Shakira nor her entourage has issued an official statement on the family situation. EL PAÍS cites 103 million followers on Instagram and more than 45 million on X, the two platforms where her message appeared.