Popular Columbia singer Shakira and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique had called off their relationship of 12 years amid allegations of cheating. The much-admired couple announced their breakup in a joint statement released by the singer’s public relations firm on Saturday.

“We regret to confirm that we are separating,” the statement read. “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.”

For a few weeks now, there have been speculations that Pique might be having affairs with several women, and that he could have moved out of their home. The couple has now confirmed the end of their relationship.

The couple met at the 2010 world cup in South Africa when the singer was working on the official world cup song “Waka Waka” in which Pique was featured. They soon started a relationship after the world cup. The couple has two kids together, Milan, nine, and Sasha, seven. Although Shakira, 45, and Gerard Pique, 35, are not married, the couple’s wealth is estimated to be about €700 million. Forbes even listed them among the world’s most influential couples. 

Both Shakira and Pique have now hired lawyers to ease the sharing process of their wealth. There are also indications that Shakira could be leaving Barcelona, where the couple has stayed for over a decade. That will no doubt affect the custody of the kids. 

On Sunday, MARCA reported that Pique and Shakira were seen together supporting their son in a baseball competition in the Czech Republic. There are indications that the singer and footballer are doing all they can to ensure that their children are not affected by their decision to exit the relationship. 

When asked in May why he was yet to propose to Shakira, Gerard Pique said he was okay with their relationship. 

“I like how we are right now. We have two kids, nine and seven, and we work good as a couple. We don’t have the need to be married, it’s fine.” Pique told Garry Nevile in his interview series called Overlap. Although the relationship was smooth, it was unlikely that the couple was planning a marriage anytime soon.

There were also speculations that Pique proposed at a time, but the singer refused the proposal. The speculation was denied by the footballer.

Although the celebrity singer is not associated with multiple relationships, her first also ended without conflicts. In 2000, Shakira started a relationship with an Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rua. In 2009, the singer described their relationship as a marriage that does not “need papers.” A year later, in 2010, the relationship ended after a mutual decision.

After their split, Antonio did not stop managing her career and business until Shakira terminated her partnership with him in 2011. Months later, she met Pique, and they enjoyed almost 12 years together. 

The most important thing to the couple now is the well-being of their kids, and they have asked their fans to respect their privacy.