Shakira Found Fame to Beat Poverty  3/8/06

Latina singer Shakira credits her poverty-stricken childhood with inspiring her to find fame and fortune.

The Wherever, Whenever singer was outraged during her childhood when her father's business collapsed and her family was left with nothing.

The Colombian star was eight-years-old when the family lost their livelihood overnight.

She says, "My father even sold the air conditioners. I was so pissed (angry).

I thought they were doing it on purpose."

In response to her youthful outrage, Shakira's parents took her to a local park filled with homeless children to convince her to be grateful for what she had.

She adds, "These children had no food. They sniffed glue to bear the cold nights.

"It moved me so much that at that very moment, I took up a mandate to succeed in life."