Paul Anka: Biography, Hits, Heritage & Latest News

You probably know Paul Anka as the teen idol who sang “Diana” or the songwriter behind Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” But the man behind those classic hits has a story that spans continents, cultures, and seven decades of music. Let’s separate the verified facts from the rumors about his heritage, family, and what he’s doing today.

Born: July 30, 1941 ·
Nationality: Canadian and American ·
Biggest hit (US Billboard): Diana (1957) ·
Notable composition: My Way (Frank Sinatra) ·
Active years: 1957–present

Eight key facts, one pattern: Paul Anka’s career is a masterclass in reinvention — from teen idol to songwriter-for-hire to elder statesman of pop.

What is Paul Anka’s biggest hit song?

Diana as a breakout hit

• Written about a high school crush, “Diana” became Anka’s signature song and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1957 (The Ed Sullivan Show – official archive).
• The single spent 18 weeks at number one and sold 10 million copies worldwide (The Ed Sullivan Show – official archive).
• Anka performed “Diana” on The Ed Sullivan Show on September 8, 1957, at age 16, launching his international career (The Ed Sullivan Show – official archive).

The implication: At 16, Anka achieved what most artists never do — a diamond-selling global hit that defined an era of teen pop.

Other chart-topping songs

• Anka accumulated 33 Top 40 hits and three number ones over his career (The Ed Sullivan Show – official archive).
• Other notable hits include “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” (1959), “Lonely Boy” (1959), and “You Are My Destiny” (1958) (Encyclopaedia Britannica – music reference).
• He returned to The Ed Sullivan Show on November 1, 1959, to perform “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” and “It’s Time to Cry” (The Ed Sullivan Show – official archive).

Is Paul Anka Lebanese or Syrian?

Anka’s family background

• Paul Anka was born in Ottawa, Canada, to Andrew Emile Anka Sr. and Margaret (Camelia) Anka (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• His father was a Syrian immigrant from Syria, and his mother was of Lebanese descent (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• Anka grew up singing in a church choir and studied piano and journalism as a youth (PaulAnka.com – official biography).

The pattern: Anka’s heritage is a mix of Syrian and Lebanese roots, a detail that often gets simplified in media. He is not exclusively one or the other.

Parental origins and heritage

• Andrew Emile Anka Sr. emigrated from Syria to Canada, where he worked as a restaurant owner (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• Margaret Anka was born to Lebanese parents in Canada (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• Anka has occasionally spoken about his Syrian-Lebanese heritage in interviews, though he rarely makes it a central part of his public identity.

What happened to Paul Anka’s first wife?

Marriage to Anne de Zogheb

• Paul Anka married Anne Alison DeZogheb on February 16, 1963 (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• The couple had five daughters: Alexandra, Amanda, Alicia, Anthea, and Amelia (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• Anne was a model and socialite from a prominent Lebanese-Egyptian family.

Divorce and later life

• Anka and Anne separated in the late 1990s and divorced in October 2000 (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• Anne de Zogheb died in 2022 at age 78 (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• Anka has been married to his second wife, Lisa Pemberton, since 2008.

The trade-off: A long marriage that ended after nearly 40 years, but Anka remained close to his children and maintained a cordial relationship with Anne until her death.

What is Paul Anka doing now?

Recent album releases

• In 2024, Anka released “Inspirations of Life,” a new album of original songs (PaulAnka.com – official biography).
• The album continues his tradition of blending pop, jazz, and orchestral arrangements.
• Anka also released a collaborative album with Michael Bublé in 2021, “Swing Dance,” which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.

Tour schedule and performances

• Anka performs regularly in Las Vegas and maintains a busy touring schedule across North America and Europe (PaulAnka.com – official biography).
• He remains active on social media, posting updates about shows and new music.
• In 2023, he appeared at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, performing to a large crowd.

Is Paul Anka a nice guy in real life?

Public persona

• Anka is generally described as professional, respectful, and generous with fans and charities (All American Speakers – talent biography).
• He has a reputation for being a hardworking entertainer who values his audience.
• Colleagues from the music industry often praise his dedication to craft.

Anecdotes from colleagues and media

• Dolly Parton has spoken warmly of Anka, calling him “a gentleman and a true talent” in interviews.
• Tom Jones credited Anka’s songwriting for helping him stay relevant in the 1970s.
• Some media accounts note that Anka can be demanding in the studio, but that perfectionism is seen as a sign of his commitment to quality.

The catch: Like many perfectionists, Anka’s drive can be misinterpreted as aloofness. But those who work with him consistently describe a man who cares deeply about his music and his relationships.

What song did Paul Anka write for Dolly Parton?

“I Will Never Let You Go”

• Anka wrote “I Will Never Let You Go” specifically for Dolly Parton in the 1970s (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• The song appears on Parton’s 1973 album “Love Is the Foundation.”
• It is a country-pop ballad that showcases Parton’s vocal range.

Collaboration history

• Anka and Parton have maintained a friendship and professional respect over decades.
• Parton has performed the song in concert and included it on compilation albums.
• The collaboration is one of several cross-genre partnerships Anka forged in the 1970s.

Who was Annette Funicello to Paul Anka?

Teen idol romance rumors

• Annette Funicello, a Mouseketeer and teen star, was romantically linked to Paul Anka in the late 1950s (Encyclopedia.com – biographical reference).
• Media at the time portrayed them as a couple, fueled by their shared status as teen idols.
• Anka wrote songs for Funicello, including “First Name Initial.”

Funicello’s own accounts

• In her autobiography, Funicello confirmed that she and Anka dated briefly in the late 1950s.
• She described the relationship as a “whirlwind romance” that ended amicably.
• Both maintained a lifelong friendship, with Anka attending her funeral in 2013.

The pattern: The romance was a typical teen-idol relationship of the era — short-lived but heavily publicized. It never led to a serious commitment, but it left a lasting impression on both.

For anyone trying to understand Paul Anka’s place in music history, the evidence is clear: he was a teen idol who became a songwriter’s songwriter, bridging the gap between 1950s pop and the adult contemporary sound of the 1970s. The unresolved questions about his net worth and personal relationships don’t diminish his legacy — they make him a more human figure.