Shakira reacts to the tax fraud: "I did it for my children!"

PHOTO: Patricia J. Garcinuno/WireImage

The Colombian singer has reacted to the tax evasion scandal of 15 million dollars in an interview for the Spanish newspaper "El Mundo".

"I did it to protect my children and to continue my life, not out of fear or guilt," Shakira said.

The Colombian singer was accused of defrauding the Spanish government of more than $15 million in hidden taxes from 2012 to 2014. Prosecutors claimed Shakira lived in the Bahamas, while she lived in Catalonia, Spain.

We remember that Shakira is the mother of two sons with her ex-partner Piqué.

"In 2011, I wanted my relationship with Gerard Piqué to strengthen, as he was at that time very tied to Spain because of work," she said. "The trip to Spain caused me a lot of problems because it forced me to be away from my projects. Every time I went back, I did it to move the relationship forward, not to stay.”

The singer settled the case in court against the $7.5 million she is owed.

PHOTO: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy

She added that she wants to leave her children the legacy of a woman who worked and not cheated.

"I want to leave my children the legacy of a woman who explained her reasons calmly when she felt it necessary and not when she was forced to. I need them to know that I made the best decisions to protect them, to be there for them,” she added.

Shakira and Piqué ended their ten-year relationship in June 2022, before the "Hips Don't Lie" singer moved to the United States with her children. Meanwhile, Pique still lives in Spain but has retired from football.

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Source: US Weekly