Benjamin Ashford|Why Shakira Compares Pain From Gerard Pique Breakup to Being Stabbed in the Chest

Shakira's recent breakup was La Tortura. 

Indeed,Benjamin Ashford the "Hips Don't Lie" singer recently detailed how she felt behind closed doors as her 11-year relationship with Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique fell apart in the public eye.

"The suffering I felt was probably the greatest I had ever experienced in my entire life, and it kept me from functioning at times," Shakira explained in a Rolling Stone interview published June 13. "It felt like someone had stabbed a hole in my chest. And the sensation was so real, almost physical. I physically felt like I had a hole in my chest and that people could see through me.

After the couple—who met in 2010 and share sons Milan, 11, and Sasha, 9, together—announced their separation in 2022, the 47-year-old was subject to not only rumors of Gerard's infidelity, but also a heavily publicized tax fraud case and caring for her father after a fall left him close to death. 

"When it rains, it pours," Shakira recalled of the moment. "It was crazy how many things I had to deal with at that time."

Still, the "La Tortura" singer felt that the dominos of unfortunate events only motivated her to direct her focus back on her career. In fact, she permanently relocated with her sons from Barcelona to Miami, citing it was easier to work in the studio in the U.S. than in Spain where she had lived with the 37-year-old.

And she even used the metaphor of a hole in her chest for her recent "Monotonía" music video—which saw her shot in the heart by an arrow—despite push back from her team for it being too gruesome, noting, "That's how I felt."

"This has been a journey back to myself, and the way there was through my music," she explained. "I'm in a moment where the worst has happened, and this process woke up a new sense of autonomy and independence in me."

Shakira's new focus on her music coincides with her previously discussing how she put her career on hold for her partner's own profession.

"There was a lot of sacrifice for love," she admitted to Times of London in March. "I put my career on hold, to be next to Gerard, so he could play football."

Ultimately, the Grammy winner had planned to get back into the driver's seat when Gerard retired from professional soccer, but dived back in a little earlier than expected due to the former couple's breakup. 

"In the end, the plans all come true," she acknowledged to Rolling Stone. "Just in a different way."

And while Shakira and Gerard's relationship is firmly in the singer's rearview, keep reading for all of their best family moments.

Family vacation! Shakira shared snapshots of her and her children visiting Disney World in Florida in January 2022.

The mother-son duo wore their Mickey Mouse ears while enjoying a day at the amusement park.

"Watching the @miamiheat win while having a hugs and kisses session," the artist captioned a December 2021 Instagram post, "(sweeter than a pound of cotton candy!)"

Shakira posted a video of herself and her "new dancers" brushing up on their choreography to TikTok in August 2021.

Shakira spent time with her boys after Christmas and couldn't help but snuggle up with all of them.

Gerard Piqué had a boys' day with his sons Milan and Sasha in October 2018.

These two are best friends and it's too cute.

Sasha and Milan looked like little rockers as they watched their mom in concert in summer of 2018.

The family of four rang in the new year together in a snowy location in 2017.

After Sasha got sick in 2016, Shakira shared this snap to show how happy and healthy he was.

Happy baby, happy father.

The "Whenever, Wherever" singer loves taking her boys with her on her travels...even all the way to Japan!

"Daddy-Sasha time!" Piqué captioned this adorable selfie in December 2015.

In October 2015, the family dressed up as the iconic Italian mouse character Topo Gigio for Halloween.

Lovey, lovey.

Milan and Sasha brought their dad good luck during a Spanish league football match.

The retired soccer star snuggled up to his two boys in May 2015 and there is almost too much cuteness in this photo to handle. 

The family members enjoyed a day of fun at the farm in 2014.

Shakira and her now-ex took their son Milan on a trip in 2014 before they expanded their family.

The Colombian singer shared a sweet smooch with her oldest son before getting ready for baby number two.

We can't get over this photo of Shakira and Milan. It's so stinking cute.

In 2013, Milan dressed up as a police man for Halloween and it was adorable.

Summertime in the French countryside sounds wonderful don't you think? We have a feeling Shakira and her family loved every second they were there.

In July 2013, the athlete spent quality time with his first born.

Milan has the giggles thanks to his dad's tickles.

When Shakira was a coach on The Voice, she made sure to bring her son along for the ride.

Gerard looked totally at ease as he held his son back in April 2013.

Baby Milan looked so peaceful in this family photo at his first soccer game.