After nearly a decade of legal battles in Spain, Shakira has secured a major courtroom victory. A Spanish court ruled that the country’s treasury must refund the Colombian superstar nearly $65 million after determining the money had been improperly collected in a long-running tax dispute.

The court concluded that Spanish tax authorities failed to prove Shakira had spent enough time in Spain during 2011 to qualify as a tax resident. Prosecutors claimed she spent more than 183 days in the country that year, but the court found she had actually spent only 163 days there, meaning she was not liable for the personal income taxes in question.

In an emotional statement following the ruling, Shakira said the case had caused years of public attacks, reputational damage, and emotional stress for both herself and her family. She also accused authorities of treating her as guilty from the beginning and using her public image to send a broader message to taxpayers.

“This victory is dedicated to all those ordinary citizens who are abused and crushed every day by a system that presumes guilt,” she said in part.

Despite the ruling, Spain’s tax agency has reportedly announced plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, meaning the legal battle may not be completely over yet.

The news comes during another massive year for Shakira. Earlier this month, she performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach that reportedly drew nearly two million fans. She was also recently announced as one of the performers for the halftime show of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final alongside Madonna and BTS.