Shakira achieved another milestone in her global career after drawing an estimated 2.5 million people to Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro for a free concert as part of the “Todo Mundo no Rio” celebration. And while the scale of the performance cements her position as one of the most influential live performers of her generation, behind the scenes, the beloved Colombian superstar faced a family emergency involving her father, William Mebarak.
According to multiple international outlets, William Mebarak suffered an ischemic episode on Saturday morning, just hours before the concert. According to Quien, television host Lucho Borrego stated that Mebarak’s condition appeared to be serious, and those close to the family are very concerned.
© WireImageBorrego later clarified that Mebarak’s condition was stable, citing conversations with individuals connected to Shakira’s inner circle. “I’m told he is stable. I spoke with someone close to Shakira’s siblings,” he said on “¡Siéntese Quien Pueda!”
Hospital Updates from Barranquilla
By Monday, journalist Sulay Ucrós reported from outside Clínica Iberoamérica, where Mebarak is believed to be receiving treatment. He “had experienced a serious health episode,” but is currently “stable.”
Ucrós also suggested that Shakira might travel to Barranquilla to be with her family. “What we’re hearing is that the singer could be arriving in the next few hours to take charge of the situation (…) Mr. William Mebarak was hospitalized at this same clinic exactly two years ago due to pneumonia that required intensive care. This indicates he has been dealing with health issues for several years,” she reported on “Hoy Día.”
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesA Pattern of Health Challenges
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident for William Mebarak, as he has faced recurring health issues over several years. In 2022, when Shakira was navigating her highly publicized separation from Gerard Piqué, she was also dealing with her father's COVID-19 diagnosis and injuries from a serious fall in Barcelona, which required medical attention.
In 2024, he was hospitalized in intensive care due to pneumonia. His medical history also includes hydrocephalus, which required brain surgery, along with other conditions.
© ShakiraIn 2025, Catalan newspaper El Nacional reported that Mebarak’s health had “deteriorated severely,” suggesting that his doctors were “pessimistic” about his condition. However, at the time, sources close to the singer told ¡HOLA! that William Mebarak is not hospitalized. “He’s at home, receiving the kind of care that any 94-year-old would need, but he’s perfectly fine,” a family source said that year. “If her father were in a truly critical condition, Shakira wouldn’t be on tour — she’d be in Miami with her family,” the same insider told ¡HOLA!.
