Who is Paul Anka?

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Paul Albert Anka was born on July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada to Lebanese and Syrian immigrant parents who ran a local restaurant where Anka first encountered live music. From a very early age, music became an outlet and a calling. By his early teens, he had taught himself guitar and piano and formed a vocal group with friends in Ottawa.

His big break came in 1957 when – at age 15 – he traveled to New York and performed a self‑penned song, “Diana,” for executives at ABC‑Paramount Records. That song shot to No. 1 in both Canada and the U.S., selling millions of copies and instantly turning the young Anka into a teen idol.

The late 1950s and early 1960s were filled with Anka hits:

“Diana”
“Lonely Boy”
“Put Your Head on My Shoulder”
“Puppy Love”

These songs helped define a generation’s sound with polished pop and rock‑and‑roll balladry that resonated with young audiences.

Expanding from Performer to Composer

Even as his own performance career blossomed, Anka was building a reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter. One of his most enduring contributions to music – and one of the songs most widely recognized worldwide – is “My Way.”

In 1969, Anka wrote the English lyrics to the French song Comme d’habitude. His version, titled “My Way,” was recorded by Frank Sinatra and became closely associated with him — and later covered by countless artists.

Anka’s songwriting reach extended beyond his own catalog. Among his other notable compositions or co‑writings were:

“She’s a Lady” for Tom Jones
The theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Songs co‑written with or for stars like Michael Jackson (including posthumous collaborations like This Is It and Don’t Matter to Me).

His ability to craft songs for others while maintaining his own prolific performance career distinguished him from many of his peers in popular music.

Transitions and Reinventions Through the Decades

As musical trends shifted in the 1960s and 1970s, Anka navigated the changing landscape by reinventing himself. He continued recording, touring, and writing hits, including the controversial 1974 duet “(You’re) Having My Baby.” While criticized by some, it nonetheless reached No. 1 on the charts — revealing both his creative range and willingness to engage audiences in new ways.

Beyond pop, Anka explored multiple genres across decades:

soft rock
jazz standards
adult contemporary
swing and covers of iconic songs (for example his Rock Swings album interpreting rock classics in big‑band arrangements).

He also maintained a presence in film and television, with roles in movies like The Longest Day (1962), Captain Ron (1992), and 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001), as well as appearances on popular TV shows.

Personal Life: Family and Relationships

Anka’s personal life has been unavoidably intertwined with his public life, marked by relationships that influenced his music and legacy.

He was married three times. His first marriage, to Anne de Zogheb, lasted 37 years and produced five daughters. After their difficult divorce, she passed away in 2017. His second marriage, to Swedish model Anna Åberg, lasted briefly but produced a son, Ethan, whom Anka later raised as a single father.

Today, Anka openly speaks about his close bond with Ethan, now in his early 20s, describing their relationship as both familial and deeply friendly — a “buddy” connection that keeps him grounded and youthful.

The 2020s: New Works, Recognition & Reflection

A Documentary: Paul Anka: His Way

In late 2025, HBO released Paul Anka: His Way, a documentary chronicling his 70‑year journey through music. Directed by Emmy‑winning filmmaker John Maggio, the film blends archival footage, performances, interviews, and personal anecdotes — celebrating both the hits and the hard work that sustained his longevity in an ever‑changing industry.

Throughout late 2025 and early 2026, Anka promoted the documentary with performances and television appearances, including a memorable rendition of “My Way” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that reminded audiences why his voice and presence remain compelling decades after his first hit.

New Music in 2026: Inspirations of Life and Love

On February 13, 2026, Anka released his 30th studio album, Inspirations of Life and Love. It blended brand‑new originals with reimagined classic songs and collaborations that reflected his artistic journey.

The album’s track list includes a mix of fresh compositions — such as “Just Can’t Wait” — and reworkings of older material originally recorded with Frank Sinatra. It showcases Anka’s ability to evolve while honoring his own influences and musical past.

Touring and Live Performance

Far from slowing down, Anka has extended his “A Man and His Music Tour” well into 2026, performing classic favorites and engaging new audiences across North America in venues from Sarasota to Washington, D.C., Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and beyond.

His live shows continue to feature beloved songs from seven decades, underscoring an extraordinary distinction: Anka is the only artist in history to have had a song on the Billboard charts in seven consecutive decades.

Retirement? Not Yet

Despite a career that has spanned almost 70 years, Anka has repeatedly said that retirement is not on the immediate horizon. In interviews in early 2026, he described his work as fun, purposeful, and integral to his life – suggesting he’ll keep performing, writing, and recording as long as he can.

He has joked that “he knows what retirement is” but doesn’t want it just yet, and that when – someday – his body tells him it’s time to slow down, he’ll listen then.

Legacy and Influence

Paul Anka’s legacy is layered and unique:

1. A Chart‑Topping Teen Idol

From Diana to Put Your Head on My Shoulder, his early hits defined pop for new listeners in the 1950s and 1960s.

2. A Prolific Songwriter for Others

Few artists have contributed songs as widely as Anka: from Sinatra’s My Way to Jones’s She’s a Lady, with impacts that stretch across genres and eras.

3. A Resilient Artist Across Eras

Anka rode waves of musical change – from rock and roll to adult contemporary – and remained relevant by adapting his craft while holding onto the emotional core of his music.

4. A Cultural Connector

His songs have threaded through films, television, advertising, and viral trends – with tracks like Put Your Head on My Shoulder finding new audiences decades after release.

5. A Personal Story of Commitment

Whether nurturing familial bonds, reflecting on his past, or continuing to push his creative boundaries, Anka’s story resonates beyond his music.