Shakira has opened up on how she is coping following the breakdown of her relationship with ex Gerard Piqué over cheating allegations.

The mother of two, 46, admitted it was a ‘long answer’ when questioned on if she felt happy at the moment, summarising that she can’t say that she is.

Speaking to Billboard about her life after the split, Shakira detailed how she is managing to juggle raising her two sons and her revitalised music career.

Musing on her current state of mind, Shakira said: ‘I don’t think everyone has access to happiness. It’s reserved for a very select number of people, and I can’t say I’m part of the club at this moment.’

Shakira’s career is going from strength to strength, she recently became the first South American artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award at the MTV VMAs. She is also among the top nominees at the upcoming Latin Grammy Awards.

Shakira says she has channelled the pain of her break-up into her music, which has proved a huge success with the fans.

However Shakira admitted: ‘Nothing can compensate for the pain of destroying a family.’

She said: ‘Of course, I have to keep going for my children’s sake; that’s my greatest motivation. But my biggest dream, more than collecting platinum albums and Grammys, was to raise my sons with their father. Overcome obstacles and grow old together. I know I’m not getting that now.’

The most notable of Shakira’s recent work is her diss-track, Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53, which details a story of betrayal amid allegations of infidelity on Gerard’s part, who is now dating Clara Chia Marti, 26.

It seems Shakira has been able to pull off the classic move of using your art to exercise your demons, considering over the past 12 months, in the wake of her split from Pique, she has had six hits on the chart, according to Billboard.

All six of those hits allude to the separation from Gerard that range in emotions from great sorrow to rage and ultimately hope of what’s to come in the future.

Just this year the Columbian singer has scored two number songs this year with TQG with Karol G. and Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53. with Argentine DJ Bizarrap, which is a diss song, as well as being a women’s empowerment anthem.

Both TQG and Sessions would also reach the Hot 100’s top 10, while the former topped the Billboard Global 200. Sessions reached number one in 16 countries as well as on Hot Latin Songs.