Share

Paul Anka biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

Best Known For

One of the biggest classic pop performers, Canadian singer-songwriter Paul Anka moved from teen heartthrob to adult artist with a slew of hits.

Videos see all videos

Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now
Paul Anka - Touring with a Legend watch more videos (1)

Anka launched a wildly successful songwriting career from the casinos and supper clubs of Las Vegas and Florida. He wrote the theme song for The Tonight Show during Johnny Carson's reign, which is estimated to have been played some 1.4 million times. At the height of Carson's popularity, Anka earned $800,000 to $900,000 annually in royalties alone from that one song.

Other career highlight include writing "She's A Lady,

" Tom Jones's biggest hit, and befriending Frank Sinatra and writing "My Way," the singer's valedictory tune. In 1974, Anka released his own single, "(You're) Having My Baby," which outraged feminists but still went to No. 1 on the charts. "You've got to figure out what they want out there and give it to them," Anka once stated.

Personal Life

While traveling in Puerto Rico in 1962, Anka met Anne de Zogheb, a model of Parisian and Egyptian descent. The couple married in Paris in 1963, and Anne gave up her career to raise their family. The couple had five daughters: Amelia, Althea, Alisia, Amanda and Alexandria. His marriage to Anne ended in 2001, after 37 years together. Anka then had a son with Anna Aberg, a Swedish model and actress 30 years his junior. The couple married in 2008 but separated shortly after.

Anka has released more than 120 albums, together selling more than 10 million copies globally, not counting singles. Alone or in collaboration with others, he has written some 900 songs, placing singles in the Top 50 during five different decades. When he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien gave his introduction.

Despite all these successes, Anka still refuses to rest on his laurels. "I've always believed that if you don't stay moving," he said, "they will throw dirt on you."

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

ADVERTISEMENT
3424 3424
profile id: 3424
profile name: Paul Anka
profile occupation:
related profile id: 3424
related profile name: Paul Anka
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/A/Paul-Anka-3424-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/paul-anka-3424
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups

    See all related groups

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!