Colombian pop beauty Shakira is waiting to marry her long-term boyfriend Antonio De La Rua, according to her future father-in-law.

Former Argentine President Fernando De La Rua - who was deposed as leader of the South American nation in December 2001 - told Dominican newspaper Listin Diario that while the couple were deeply in love, they were in no rush to tie the knot.

He says, "They prefer to wait. Kids today would rather live as a couple, they don't believe that marriage is necessary to be happy.

"Shakira is a very good woman, she is very loving to her parents and with her in-laws as well."

Shakira and lawyer Antonio began dating in 1999.