Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado is best known as the mother of international pop superstar Shakira. While she largely stays out of the public eye, Nidia’s background, family life, and steady support have been pivotal in shaping the iconic singer’s journey.
Early Life and Background
Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado was born on February 7, 1950, in Barranquilla, Colombia. She comes from a diverse cultural background.
Her father, Isaac Felipe Ripoll, was a Lebanese immigrant, and her mother, Teresa Torrado, was a Colombian woman of Spanish and Italian descent.
This blended heritage gave Nidia a mix of Lebanese, Spanish (Catalonian), and Italian roots, contributing to the rich cultural environment in which she grew up.
Nidia was raised in a middle-class household in Barranquilla and was the second of eight siblings.
Growing up in a large family taught her the values of togetherness, hard work, and education. Her parents emphasized the importance of schooling and strong moral values, which led Nidia to excel in her studies.
She attended a Catholic private school, Colegio La Enseñanza, where she was a diligent student. This foundation set the stage for Nidia’s own emphasis on education and values when she later became a mother.
Education and Career Beginnings
Following high school, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado pursued higher education in the field of dentistry. She enrolled at the Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla to study dentistry. Her choice of career reflected a desire to help others through healthcare.
After years of hard work, Nidia earned her degree and began practicing as a dentist, serving her local community. Her dedication to her profession showed her drive to build a meaningful career and make a difference in people’s lives.
Nidia’s career took an unexpected turn when family became her central focus. After marrying and having a child, she made the decision to retire from dentistry to dedicate herself full-time to her family.
This decision highlights Nidia’s selflessness – she willingly set aside her professional ambitions to ensure she could be present for her children and stepchildren.
Nidia’s journey from being a working professional to a devoted homemaker demonstrates the sacrifices she made, prioritizing her family’s needs above her own career.
Meeting William Mebarak Chadid
Nidia met William Mebarak Chadid in the mid-1970s, a meeting that would change the course of her life. According to family recollections, William first saw Nidia around 1976, when she was a young professional and he was a businessman.
At that time, William was already a mature man with a large family from a previous marriage – he had nine children from his earlier relationship. William, who was born in New York to a Lebanese family and moved to Colombia as a child, was immediately charmed upon seeing Nidia.
He later recalled his first glimpse of her: “She worked in a friend’s company, and one day I saw the wind sticking her skirts to her legs, and I fell in love with her. And I thought, ‘Now your peace of mind is over, William.’”. This quote from William humorously captures the love-at-first-sight moment that sparked their relationship.
William Mebarak Chadid was about 19 years older than Nidia and had an established family. Despite the complexities, love blossomed between Nidia and William. He eventually divorced his first wife, and Nidia and William were married by the late 1970s.
By uniting with William, Nidia also took on the role of stepmother to his children from the previous marriage. This was no small undertaking – suddenly, she was connected to a large blended family.
Those children became Nidia’s stepchildren, and she embraced them as part of her life. Friends and relatives have noted Nidia’s kindness and patience in navigating this blended family dynamic. Her ability to bond with William’s children speaks to her compassionate nature and family values.
Marriage and Motherhood
The marriage of Nidia Ripoll and William Mebarak Chadid led to the birth of their only child together, a daughter named Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla.
She would grow up to become the world-famous singer known simply as Shakira. It’s noteworthy that Shakira is the only child that Nidia and William had together. Shakira grew up as the beloved only daughter in the household, though she had many older half-siblings from her father’s side.
Shakira has eight older half-siblings from William’s previous marriage. This means Nidia’s daughter was surrounded by much older brothers and sisters, although Shakira was essentially raised as an only child in daily life with her parents.
One fascinating tidbit about Nidia’s early days of motherhood is her input on her daughter’s name. Not everyone knows that it was Nidia who chose the name “Shakira” for her baby girl.
The name Shakira is of Arabic origin, meaning “grateful” or “thankful.” In choosing this name, Nidia honored the family’s Lebanese heritage and instilled a sense of gratitude from the very beginning. This thoughtful choice reflects the importance Nidia placed on culture and meaning, giving her daughter a name that would later become iconic in the music world.
In their Barranquilla home, Nidia focused on being a dedicated mother and wife. She transitioned into the role of a full-time homemaker, often described as a housewife who put her family first.
Nidia’s day-to-day life involved caring for Shakira, supporting her husband, and maintaining a warm household. Those who know the family have mentioned that Nidia created a nurturing environment, emphasizing education, faith, and humility.
Despite having a world of opportunities in front of her daughter, Nidia ensured that Shakira’s childhood had structure and normalcy, from attending school to spending Sundays with family.
A Guiding Force in Shakira’s Life
Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado played a crucial role in discovering and nurturing Shakira’s talents. In a now-famous family story, Nidia first noticed her young daughter’s musical potential when Shakira spontaneously danced to Middle Eastern rhythms in a restaurant during a family outing.
This unexpected moment revealed Shakira’s natural gift for performance. Instead of dismissing it, Nidia paid attention.
She encouraged Shakira to explore music and dance from that point onward. Recognizing talent in one’s child is one thing, but supporting it actively is another – and Nidia did just that.
Nidia, together with her husband William, fostered Shakira’s artistic development from an early age. She enrolled Shakira in dance classes (including belly dancing, which tied into their Middle Eastern roots) and supported her singing and writing efforts.
Education was also a priority – Nidia balanced encouragement of the arts with a strong emphasis on schooling and knowledge. This well-rounded support system helped Shakira build confidence and skill.
Shakira once acknowledged her parents’ influence by saying, “They have been the pillars of my life and my career. Without them, I would not be where I am today.”. This quote, given in an interview with Hola! magazine, shows how deeply Shakira appreciates her mother’s guidance.
As Shakira’s career took off, Nidia was always by her side, albeit quietly in the background. She had sacrificed her own career to focus on Shakira’s upbringing, and that investment began to pay off as Shakira started performing at local events as a child and teenager.
Nidia would often travel with her daughter to performances and auditions, offering moral support. When Shakira was just starting out in the music industry, Nidia’s steady presence helped the young singer navigate the challenges of show business.
In Shakira’s words, her mother was a constant source of strength and belief in her abilities. This unwavering support gave Shakira the foundation she needed to pursue an international career with confidence.
Personal Life and Characteristics
Despite being the mother of a celebrity, Nidia Ripoll is known for her discreet and private nature. Friends and media have nicknamed her “la invisible” (“the invisible one”) because she deliberately avoids the spotlight.
Nidia rarely gives interviews or seeks public attention. Instead, she lets her daughter shine while she stays behind the scenes. This trait speaks to Nidia’s humility and focus on family rather than fame.
Even at concerts or events, she might be seen quietly accompanying Shakira, often blending into the background. Nidia’s preference for privacy means that much of her life story is known through her family rather than any self-promotion.
Nidia’s cultural background has had a subtle yet meaningful influence on Shakira. Being of Spanish (Catalan) and Italian descent, Nidia kept those cultural traditions alive in the household.
Shakira grew up speaking Spanish as her first language and was immersed in Latin culture through her mother. For example, the Catalonian heritage from Nidia’s side connected Shakira to Spanish customs and even music styles.
Meanwhile, through William and the broader family, Shakira also connected with Lebanese and Middle Eastern traditions. The blend of cultures is evident in Shakira’s artistry – from Latin rhythms to Arabic belly dance moves – and Nidia’s heritage is a big part of that mix.
In essence, Nidia helped root Shakira in her Latin identity, teaching her to be proud of her Spanish and Catalan ancestry, which complements the Lebanese influences from Shakira’s father’s side.
Those close to the family often mention Nidia’s strong family values and caring personality. She is described as kind, soft-spoken, and deeply devoted to her loved ones. Shakira has often highlighted how important family is in her life – a principle she clearly inherited from Nidia.
For instance, Shakira insists on having meals with family members whenever possible, a very Colombian custom that Nidia instilled in her. “It’s very important for her to eat with someone from her family.
It’s how Colombians are,” a family friend once told Rolling Stone, emphasizing the tight-knit family culture Nidia fostered. Now, as a grandmother, Nidia carries these values forward, cherishing time with Shakira’s two sons and teaching them the same lessons of love and unity.
Public Appearances and Notable Moments
Nidia Ripoll has been present at many significant moments of Shakira’s career, though she usually stays offstage. She has been seen in the audience during Shakira’s performances and sometimes accompanying her daughter at award ceremonies or charitable events.
For example, Nidia proudly watched Shakira receive honors like the French Culture Medal in Cannes, France, in 2012, and attended UNICEF events where Shakira was a goodwill ambassador.
At such events, Nidia often appears as a supportive figure, smiling modestly while her daughter addresses the press. These glimpses show how proud she is of Shakira, even if she prefers not to speak publicly herself.
Despite occasional public sightings, Nidia remains consistently low-key. She does not maintain any public social media and generally declines media interviews. This has made details of her personal life relatively scarce – a deliberate choice to maintain normalcy.
Her focus has always been on being a mother and wife rather than seeking any spotlight. This discretion has earned her respect; many fans admire Nidia for being a celebrity parent who doesn’t capitalize on her daughter’s fame.
Instead, she exemplifies grace and modesty, supporting Shakira’s fame from the background. It’s often said that Nidia raised Shakira to stay grounded, and by living a humble life herself, she set that example.
In recent years, Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado made headlines due to a health scare. In early 2023, she was hospitalized in Barcelona for a blood clot (thrombosis) in her leg.
Initially, there were rumors it might have been a stroke, but it was later confirmed to be a treatable clot. Nidia acted quickly by going to the hospital as soon as she felt unwell, which allowed doctors to address the issue in time.
Thankfully, she recovered well and was declared out of danger shortly after. This incident brought Nidia into the media spotlight briefly, as fans around the world sent well-wishes for her recovery. Shakira, who is very close to her parents, was deeply concerned and even delayed moving from Spain to Miami to be by her mother’s side during the recovery.
Earlier, Shakira’s father (Nidia’s husband, William) had also faced serious health issues, and Shakira juggled her career with caring for her parents.
As of the latest updates, Nidia is doing better and has resumed her quiet life, spending time with family. The episode reminded everyone of the strong bond in Shakira’s family and how Nidia has always been a central figure holding everyone together.
Legacy and Influence
Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado’s legacy is closely tied to the incredible success of her daughter, Shakira. While Nidia herself might not be a public figure or a household name, her influence is evident every time Shakira takes the stage.
The discipline, confidence, and cultural pride that Shakira exudes can be traced back to the upbringing Nidia provided. From ensuring Shakira got a good education to encouraging her to perform and even picking out her meaningful name, Nidia’s fingerprints are all over Shakira’s foundation as an artist and person.
Shakira’s achievements – from Grammy awards to philanthropic endeavors – are a testament not only to her own talents but also to the family support she received from her mother and father.
Beyond Shakira, Nidia’s role as a mother and wife for over five decades has been an inspiring example within her extended family and to many fans who know of her. She and William have been married for over 50 years, showcasing a lasting partnership.
Their enduring marriage and teamwork in parenting demonstrate commitment and love, values that resonate with many people.
Fans often see Shakira’s humility and authenticity and credit Nidia for raising her well. Indeed, Shakira remains very family-oriented despite her fame – often thanking her parents in speeches and taking them to important events – which highlights Nidia’s lasting influence.
It is interesting that someone who is not in show business and who maintains a neutral, private life can still indirectly influence popular culture.
Nidia’s story underscores that behind many celebrities, there are supportive family members who shape who they become. In Shakira’s case, Nidia was the mentor and steady force during the early, vulnerable years of her career.
By staying neutral and avoiding scandals or attention, Nidia ensured that the focus remained on Shakira’s talent and hard work. This supportive yet hands-off approach is something many other entertainment families have tried to emulate.
FAQs
Who is Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado?
Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado is the mother of international pop star Shakira. Born on February 7, 1950, in Barranquilla, Colombia, she has been a significant influence in Shakira’s life and career.
What is Nidia Ripoll’s cultural background?
Nidia has a diverse heritage, with Lebanese roots from her father, Isaac Felipe Ripoll, and Spanish (Catalonian) and Italian ancestry from her mother, Teresa Torrado. This rich cultural background has influenced her family, including Shakira.
What was Nidia Ripoll’s profession?
Nidia pursued a career in dentistry, earning her degree from the Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla. She practiced as a dentist before choosing to focus on her family life.
How did Nidia Ripoll influence Shakira’s career?
Nidia recognized Shakira’s musical talent early on and supported her by enrolling her in dance classes and encouraging her to perform. She played a pivotal role in nurturing Shakira’s passion for music and performance.
Is Nidia Ripoll involved in public events?
While Nidia prefers to maintain a private life, she has occasionally attended public events, such as award ceremonies and concerts, to support Shakira. She generally avoids the spotlight, focusing on her family.
