Shakira to receive Latin Woman of the Year award at Billboard music event

Shakira has been recognized for her contributions to the music industry and philanthropic efforts

Billboard has announced that Shakira will be receiving the inaugural Latin Woman of the Year award. The Colombian superstar will accept the prestigious award at the Mujeres Latinas en la Música (Latin Women in Music) event on May 7th in Miami, Florida, which will be broadcasted on the Spanish-language TV channel Telemundo.

The recognition comes as a result of Shakira's significant contributions to the music industry and her ongoing philanthropic efforts. Through her career, Shakira has created recognition and opportunities for Latin women in music, inspiring them to write and perform deeply personal music.

"Shakira is the ultimate Woman In Music. Thanks to her, Latin women all over the world were empowered to write and perform deeply personal music," said Leila Cobo, Billboard's chief content officer for Latin/Español, in a statement.

Cobo continued to praise Shakira, saying that the singer created a movement all on her own, which is more relevant than ever today. Shakira has been named Billboard's Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade twice, in 2000 and 2010, and has received three Grammys, 12 Latin Grammys, seven Billboard Music awards, and 39 Billboard Latin Music awards, according to Billboard and Telemundo.

The Latin Woman of the Year award is a well-deserved honor for Shakira, who has spent her career paving the way for Latin women in music and inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. This recognition is a testament to her enormous talent, deep tradition of giving back, and her impact on the music industry as a whole.