I have to be stronger than a lioness for our kids: Shakira

Gerard Pique and Shakira

Colombian singer Shakira insists she needs to be stronger for her kids Milan, 10, and Sasha, eight, after split from football star Gerard Pique.

The Hips Don't Lie singer split from the former Barcelona footballer last year. Meanwhile, Pique made his relationship with Clara Chia Marti official on Instagram last month.

Talking about her split, Shakira told Mexican channel, Canal Estrellas, "I bought that story, that a woman needed a man to complete herself. I also had that dream of a family where the children had a mum and dad under the same roof. Now, paradoxically, I feel complete because I depend on myself and I have two children who depend on me and that means I have to be stronger than a lioness. That strength comes out of experiencing a painful loss, of accepting it, of tolerating a frustration, of understanding that life doesn't always bring us what we want."

Also read: Gerard Pique's new affair finds mention in Shakira's song

Shakira, however said that she wasn't sure of becoming strong. "There are dreams that are broken and you have to pick up the little pieces from the ground and put yourself together again. I didn't know I could end up being strong. I always thought I was more fragile," she said.