Shakira Rushes to Barranquilla as Father Faces Potential Health Setback

Shakira arrived in Barranquilla, Colombia, on November 2 to visit her father, William Mebarak, who is currently hospitalized. The singer’s sudden trip raised immediate questions about the health status of the 95-year-old writer. She was seen entering the residential building in the El Country neighborhood where her parents live. Her arrival was notable for the security detail accompanying her, which included two SUVs escorted by police motorbikes.

According to journalist Sulay Ucros, who reported for the program Al Rojo Vivo, the visit likely stems from a medical recurrence for Mebarak. "Her sudden trip to Colombia, according to sources, may be due to her father's health condition, who may be going through another relapse again. However, the singer has not confirmed this information," Ucros said. While the family has not released an official medical update, the lack of confirmation has left the specific nature of his current condition unclear to the public.

Mebarak’s health has fluctuated throughout 2026. In May, just before Shakira’s performance in Copacabana, Brazil, he was hospitalized with a pulmonary infection. These recent challenges follow a series of medical complications that began in 2022 after he suffered a fall. That incident marked a turning point in his care, leading to repeated hospital stays in the years since.

One of the most recent major admissions occurred in 2024, when Mebarak spent 17 days in the hospital being treated for pneumonia. Since that fall in 2022, he has required frequent medical attention, prompting concern among family members. As of now, no new details regarding his specific diagnosis or prognosis have been made public. The family remains close to him in the hospital, maintaining a low profile regarding the extent of his recovery or current symptoms.