Shakira breaks silence on split from Gerard Pique

Shakira has talked for the first time about her shocking split from Gerard Pique after 12 years and two children together but opted to not talk about his new relationship with a much younger woman.

The 45-year-old Colombian singer was candid about how difficult life has been as her relationship with the 35-year-old football star has fallen apart in the cover story for Elle magazine’s October issue, accompanied by an in-depth interview with Lulu Garcia-Navarro.

Shakira – who shares two sons: nine-year-old Milan and seven-year-old Sasha with Pique – made her first public comments on the split as she said: ‘Oh, this is really hard to talk about personally, especially as this is the first time I’ve ever addressed this situation in an interview.

‘I’ve remained quiet and just tried to process it all. Um, and yeah, it’s hard to talk about it, especially because I’m still going through it, and because I’m in the public eye and because our separation is not like a regular separation.

And so it’s been tough not only for me, but also for my kids. Incredibly difficult.’

She went on to say that the constant spotlight on her personal life has been difficult for her family especially since they have a hard time without being bombarded by media and fans.

Shakira explained: ‘So it’s hard. And I’ve tried to conceal the situation in front of my kids. I try to do it and to protect them, because that’s my number one mission in life.

‘But then they hear things in school from their friends or they come across some disagreeable, unpleasant news online, and it just affects them, you know?’

The now former couple announced their split after a dozen years together back in June though it seemed like Shakira did not want the relationship to end at the time.

Pique already is in a new relationship with 23-year-old PR student Clara Chia Marti many had wondered how it all ended.