Paul Anka Biography
Paul Albert Anka is a Canadian and American singer, songwriter, and actor known for his iconic hit songs such as “Diana,” “Lonely Boy,” “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” and “(You’re) Having My Baby.” He wrote the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, crafted one of Tom Jones’ major hits, “She’s a Lady,” and provided the English lyrics for Claude François and Jacques Revaux’s music in Frank Sinatra’s defining song “My Way,” a composition covered by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley.
Paul Anka Age
Anka was born on July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Paul is therefore 83 years old as of 2024.
Paul Anka Height
Anka stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 6 inches.
Paul Anka Family
Anka’s birth took place in Ottawa, Ontario, to Camelia (formerly Tannis) and Andrew Emile “Andy” Anka Sr., the proprietor of a restaurant named the Locanda. His father migrated to Canada from Bab Tuma, Damascus, Syria, while his mother emigrated from Lebanon. Unfortunately, his mother passed away at the age of 18. Anka actively participated in the St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral choir, directed by Frederick Karam, who also provided him with instruction in music theory.
Paul Anka Wife
Anka was married to Anne de Zogheb, the daughter of Lebanese diplomat Charles de Zogheb, on February 16, 1963, and their union endured until 2001. Anne met Anka in 1962 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she worked as a fashion model under contract to the Eileen Ford Agency. Having been raised in Egypt, Zogheb had an ancestry of Lebanese, English, French, Dutch, and Greek descent.
The couple tied the knot the following year in a ceremony held at Paris-Orly Airport. Anka is connected to actor Jason Bateman through his daughter, Amanda. On September 6, 1990, Anka became a naturalized citizen of the United States. In 2008, Anka formed a marital bond with his trainer, Anna Åberg, in Sardinia, Italy. Unfortunately, their union concluded in divorce in 2010, with Paul obtaining full custody of their son.
Anna gained recognition by appearing on the Swedish TV3 show Svenska Hollywoodfruar (Swedish Hollywood Wives). Anka recorded his life in his autobiography, “My Way,” co-authored with David Dalton, published in 2013. Subsequently, in October 2016, Anka entered into marriage with Lisa Pemberton in Beverly Hills, California. However, their marital journey ended in 2020, resulting in divorce.
Paul Anka Children
Anka has been married three times and is a father to six children – five daughters and one son. Alexander Anka, the eldest daughter, was born on 16 August 1996. She pursued a career in law and resides in Switzerland. Amanda Anka, born on 10 December 1968 in New York, is the second daughter of Paul Anka and Anne de Zogheb. She is a voice actress and producer, married to Jason Bateman since 2001, and the couple has two children.
Alicia Anka, born in 1970, became a U.S. citizen in July 1987 at the age of 16. She has chosen to keep her life private. Anthea Anka, the fourth daughter, was born in 1971. She is involved in scriptwriting, music, and online blogging. Amelia Anka, the fifth and last daughter, shares the same birthdate as Amanda – 10 December 1968. Ethan Anka, the first son of Paul, was born on 22 September 2005, from his second marriage to Anna Aberg.
Paul Anka’s Net Worth
Anka has an estimated net worth of $80 Million which he has earned through his successful career as a singer, songwriter, and actor.
Paul Anka Education
He attended Fisher Park High School, where he was part of a vocal trio called the Bobby Soxers. Additionally, he received piano lessons from Winnifred Rees.
Paul Anka Career
Anka began his career by recording his first single, “I Confess,” at the age of 14. In 1956, armed with $100 from his uncle, he went to New York City to audition for Don Costa at ABC Records. His audition included singing what was believed to be a love-struck verse he had written to a former babysitter, which resulted in the creation of the song “Diana.” “Diana” became a massive hit, reaching No. 1 on both Canadian and US music charts, establishing Anka as a teenage idol.
Throughout the late 1950s, Anka continued to produce chart-topping hits, including “It’s Time to Cry” and “(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings.” He toured with Buddy Holly in Britain and Australia and wrote “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” for Holly. Anka composed the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, writing hits like “Teddy” for Connie Francis, and penning the English lyrics for Frank Sinatra’s signature song, “My Way.” In the 1960s, he started acting and wrote the theme for the film The Longest Day.
Facing challenges during the British Invasion, Anka shifted towards adult contemporary and big-band standards. In the early 1970s, he signed with Buddah Records and experienced a chart comeback with the No. 1 hit “(You’re) Having My Baby” in collaboration with Odia Coates. The duo recorded several more successful duets, including “One Man Woman/One Woman Man,” “I Don’t Like to Sleep Alone,” and “(I Believe) There’s Nothing Stronger Than Our Love.”
Anka continued to evolve his career, exploring various musical styles. In the 1990s, he released the album “A Body of Work” and achieved a mainstream comeback with “Rock Swings,” an album featuring big-band arrangements of contemporary rock songs. Anka’s influence extended globally, collaborating with Italian musicians and enjoying popularity in countries like Finland.
He performed in various international venues and appeared in films such as The Longest Day, 3000 Miles to Graceland, and Captain Ron. Anka made several television appearances, including on shows like That ’70s Show and Gilmore Girls. In recent years, Anka remained active, participating in The Masked Singer and continuing to make guest appearances on various shows.
Paul Anka Put Your Head on My Shoulder
“Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” a classic song, was written and performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka in August 1958, with its official release in 1959. The track achieved significant success, climbing to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. On the flip side, the B-side of the record featured the song “Don’t Ever Leave Me.” The song gained renewed popularity thanks to the widely-used dance app TikTok. A specific challenge called the Silhouette Challenge contributed to the song’s revival.
Paul Anka Puppy Love
“Puppy Love” is a well-known song written by Anka in 1960, originally for Annette Funicello, a Mouseketeer, as Anka had a crush on her at the time. Anka’s version of the song achieved considerable success, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, it was surpassed by Percy Faith’s “Theme from A Summer Place.” Additionally, Anka’s version secured the fourth position on the Canadian CHUM Charts and reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart. The song’s theme of youthful and romantic feelings contributed to its popularity during its time.
Paul Anka Times of Your Life
“Times of Your Life” is a well-known song and advertising jingle that gained popularity in the 1970s, sung by Canadian artist Anka. Anka recorded the song in 1975 for an album with the same title, and it was written by Roger Nichols (melody) and Bill Lane (lyrics). The song found its initial association with Kodak, which created an advertising campaign in 1975 featuring Anka singing the jingle “Times of Your Life.” Due to the positive reception of the tune in the commercial, Anka decided to officially record and release it as a single later in 1975.
Paul Anka, You Are My Destiny
“You Are My Destiny” is a song written and performed by Paul Anka. Recorded in September 1957, the song was released the same year. It achieved notable success on various charts, reaching number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1958 and number fourteen on the R&B chart. In Canada, it reached number two. The song was also released in the UK, where it achieved a peak position of number six on the charts. With its heartfelt lyrics and Anka’s smooth vocals, “You Are My Destiny” became a hit and remains one of his well-remembered songs from that era.
Paul Anka Songs
Below is a list of some of Anka’s songs;
- Hold Me til the Morning Comes
- (You’re) Having My Baby
- Times of Your Life
- I Don’t Like to Sleep Alone
- My Way – (new version)
- Diana
- Put Your Head On My Shoulder
- You’re Having My Baby (with Ofra Haza)
- Times Of Your Life
- Hold Me ‘Til The Morning Comes
Paul Anka Awards and honors
In 1972, a street in Ottawa was dedicated and named Paul Anka Drive. Recognizing his significant contributions, the Ottawa City Council declared August 26 as “Paul Anka Day” in 1981, celebrating his remarkable 25 years in the entertainment industry. Paul Anka earned the Juno Award for Composer of the Year in 1975, an honor specifically acknowledging his songwriting skills.
His achievements in the Canadian music scene were further acknowledged with multiple nominations for Juno Awards. In 1980, Anka was officially inducted into the prestigious Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Acknowledging his cultural impact, Anka was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in October 2004, a distinction highlighting his contributions to Canadian society.
In 2005, Paul Anka received another accolade as he was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, a recognition of his enduring influence in the world of entertainment. The Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomed Paul Anka as an inductee in 2008, celebrating his exceptional contributions to the craft of songwriting. Anka was given an honorary doctorate from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 2013.
Paul Anka Social Media Platforms
He is active on his social media accounts and often posts on his Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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