Singer Shakira has been honored by France as a Chevalier de LOrdre des Arts et des Lettres, becoming the first Colombian to receive the honor. Minister of Culture Frdric Mitterrand presented the medal to Shakira, who in addition to her music for which she was recognized is known for her philanthropic work on behalf of children. "I believe that every child should have the right to follow their dreams and get an education," she says on her website. "Growing up in Colombia, I saw that education can be a child's way out of poverty and a way to fulfill his or her potential. It is a basic right, but too often poor children are shut out." She goes on to note the number of children worldwide who don't go to primary and secondary school, and calls on governments to, among other things, prioritize education funding. On a more practical level, in recent years she's gotten five schools built back home. Note that this honor is different from the Chevalier Legion d...

Frederic Nebinger/WireImage The French love Shakira to death. The award-winning singer, whose cover of "Je l'aime mourir" ("I love her to death") debuted at No. 1 on the French singles chart, received the nation's prestigious culture medal in Cannes on Saturday. Colombia's biggest export was presented with the honor by French Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterand. And just what did the international pop star have to say about her latest accolade? MORE: Shakira Shines at 2011 Latin Grammys "I am so humbled to receive this honor in a country like France that has shared an important cultural legacy with the rest of the world," the 34-year-old Grammy winner said, as excerpted by the BBC . Previous winners of the French cultural honor, titled Chevalier, De L'order des Arts et des Letters, include poet T.S. Eliot, Clint Eastwood and George Clooney . You go, fille ! GALLERY: Party Pics Global

31 January 2012 Last updated at 05:37 ET Shakira is the first Columbian to have been given the award Shakira has received the French culture medal in Cannes for her contribution to the world of fine arts. The Columbian singer of hit single Hips Don't Lie was presented with the honour by French minister of culture, Frederic Mitterand, on Saturday. "I am so humbled to receive this honour in a country like France that has shared an important cultural legacy with the rest of the world," she said. Shakira was in Cannes to open the NRJ Music Awards. She performed her hit, Je L'Aime A Mourir. Previous recipients of the French cultural honour, titled Chevalier, De L'Order des Arts et des Lettres, are poet TS Eliot, director Clint Eastwood and actor George Clooney. Shakira also won the NRJ award of honour, and Justin Bieber took home the male version of the prize. Adele won two awards, taking home international revelation of the year and international song of the year fo...

Twitters second most popular microblogger, Justin Bieber , jetted off to Cannes, France, to celebrate winning the NRJ Award of Honor over the weekend. After receiving the award he tweeted, i never thought i would ever get out of stratford and now im celebrating in france. never gets old. ALWAYS grateful! #Ilovemyfans. Justin Bieber was not the only member of the Twittersphere to pick up an award at the star-studded NRJ Awards: Shakira also received the NRJ Award of Honor and Rihanna was honored with the International Female Artist of the Year Award. Chinese actress Yang Mi and American-Chinese singer Leehom Wang climbed their way up the top ten list of microbloggers on Sina Weibo , the Chinese-language equivalent of microblogging site Twitter, during the week. Yang Mi added more than 200,000 fans to her total, putting her ahead of fellow Chinese actress Xie Na and earning third place on the Sina Weibo leaderboard. Leehom Wang nabbed seventh place from TV host He Jiong with his total...

Shakira has been knighted in France. The singer was honoured yesterday at Hotel Majestic in Cannes by the Chevalier de l' ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters). The Daily Mail reports that the ceremony took place just hours before the star hit the red carpet at the NRJ Awards, where she was handed the prestigious Award of Honour. Not a bad Sunday, all in all. Previous recipients of the knighthood include Kylie Minogue , George Clooney and Jude Law . Last year Shakira recorded a version of 'Je L'aime Mourir', which she has also sung in Spanish and English. She has been confirmed as a guest star on will.i.am's forthcoming solo album #willpower, and has been linked to a duet with Miley Cyrus . Shakira gets French knighthood Daniel Radcliffe: 'I'm Not Friends With Rupert Grint' Dancing On Ice Star Corey Feldman: 'I Had No Idea What I Was Getting Myself Into' Shakira Awarded French Knighthood In C! anne...

January 29, 2012 2:11:00 PM UTC Shakira was the toast of Cannes on Saturday as she scooped a top prize at the NRJ Music Awards - just hours after accepting a French knighthood. The Colombian superstar beamed with pride as she was made a Knight of the Order of the Arts and Letters, in recognition of her contributions to music, at an afternoon ceremony at Cannes' Majestic Hotel. She told the crowd, which included her proud parents Nidia and William, "I'm happy. I always felt connected with France. Thanks for all the love you send me." Shakira's winning streak continued later that evening at the glitzy NRJ Music Awards, where she received the Award Of Honour for her pop career. Other winners at the event included British soul star Adele, who claimed the International Revelation of the Year trophy and International Song of the Year for Someone Like You. Rihanna was voted Best International Female, British pop star Mika took home Best International Male and LMFAO mfao ...

by Steve Myall, Daily Mirror 30/01/2012 Mitterand admires Shakira's medal Shakira keeps her cool during a brush with a tactile French minister. Advertisement >> Excited Frederic Mitterand, 64,pinned a medal on the singers chest to honour her for her contribution to music. The politician then fiddled with the ribbon and made another grab for the Colombians top before finally holding his hands up at a Cannes ceremony. Maybe the Hips Dont Lie star,who later graced the NRJ Music Awards in a strapless gold dress, told him to get his Mitts off. The 34-year-old was being rewarded with the medal of knight of the Order of Arts and Letters Cannes, as part of the music worlds largest annual trade fair, Midem. Mitterand pins on the award Hands up if you enjoyed that Shakira at an awards ceremony later on The honour came two months after she released a cover of French song 'Je l'aime mourir'. Past recipients include Tim Burton, Kylie Minogue, George Clooney and Jude Law. fred...