On the day her tax evasion trial was set to begin in Barcelona, Colombian singer Shakira announced that she has reached a settlement with Spanish prosecutors, putting an end to a years-long legal dispute. The authorities had accused her of failing to pay more than 14.5 million euros in income taxes between 2012 and 2014.

According to the Associated Press, Shakira appeared before the presiding magistrate on Monday and informed the court that she had reached an agreement with prosecutors. As part of the deal, she will receive a suspended three-year sentence. Additionally, the singer will have to pay a fine of 7.3 million euros.

The initial demands from prosecutors included an eight-year prison sentence and a fine of 24 million euros. However, both parties were able to reach a compromise, with Shakira agreeing to settle the matter.

Shakira, whose legal name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, had previously rejected a deal offered by prosecutors in July 2022. Although she continues to maintain her innocence, the singer decided to settle with Spanish authorities to avoid further stress on her family.

In a statement released on Monday, Shakira expressed her intentions behind the settlement. She said, "While I was determined to defend my innocence in a trial that my lawyers were confident would have ruled in my favor, I have made the decision to finally resolve this matter with the best interest of my kids at heart who do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight." She further added, "Winning, for me, today, is getting my time back for my kids and my career."

As part of the settlement, Shakira will have to pay an additional 432,000 euros. Furthermore, her legal record will reflect that she was found guilty of tax fraud, which may have consequences for separate tax evasion charges that she is still facing.

The case against Shakira centered around Spanish law stipulating that anyone living in the country for more than six months is considered a resident and is required to pay taxes. Prosecutors argued that Shakira was living in Spain between 2012 and 2014, despite officially listing her residence as being in the Bahamas. They pointed to a Barcelona home, which the singer allegedly bought in 2012, where she lived with her then-partner, Barcelona soccer star Gerard Piqué.

Shakira's legal team countered the allegations, stating that she spent significant amounts of time away from Spain during that period, including extended stays in the United States as part of her role on NBC's "The Voice" as a coach and judge.

Although Shakira's tax troubles are not fully resolved, as she faces allegations of tax evasion on her 2018 income, the 46-year-old pop star has still had a successful year in 2023. She was recently honored with a Video Vanguard award at the MTV Video Music Awards, becoming the first South American artist to receive the lifetime achievement honor. Shakira also released a record-breaking collaboration with Argentine DJ Bizarrap earlier this year. The song was a pointed diss track aimed at her ex-partner, Gerard Piqué. The couple announced their separation in June 2022 amidst rumors of infidelity on Piqué's part.

Just last week, Shakira's song won her a Latin Grammy for Song of the Year. The award was presented to her by Sergio Ramos, Piqué's on-field rival, in front of their two sons, who were present in the audience.

As Shakira moves forward with her music career and legal battles, the settlement in the tax evasion trial marks an important chapter in her life, allowing her to focus on her family and her art.