Shakira splits from boyfriend of 11 years

After 11 years together, Shakira and her agent beau Antonio de la Rúa have called it quits. The singer confirmed the news yesterday in an open letter to fans on her website.

"Since August 2010, we made a mutual decision to take time apart from our romantic relationship. Throughout this time we have continued to work together hand in hand, have remained close and have kept the details absolutely private, until now," she says.

The 33-year-old Colombian singer adds that the pair views the separation as a time of individual growth, and that they will remain in each other's lives professionally.

"Antonio continues to oversee and conduct my business and career interests as he has always done," she says of de la Rúa, the son of a former president of Argentina. "We move forward as partners, developing projects together, working hand in hand and in close communication. Our friendship and understanding of one another is unwavering and indestructible."