Canadian singer Paul Anka, renowned for classic hits like “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” has experienced a life of love and heartache, having been married three times. Anka’s ex-wives include model Anne de Zogheb, Anna Åberg, and Lisa Pemberton, with whom he shares five daughters and one son.
Anka first met de Zogheb during a trip to Puerto Rico in 1962, and the couple married in Paris a year later. Their 37-year marriage was marked by the birth of five daughters: Alexandra, Amanda, Alicia, Anthea, and Amelia. The family moved frequently, settling in Carmel, California, during which Anka penned the hit “(You’re) Having My Baby.” Reflecting on their marriage in his 2013 autobiography, Anka described his love for de Zogheb but acknowledged that his demanding career created a rift, contributing to their divorce. De Zogheb passed away in 2017 at the age of 74.
Anka’s second marriage to Anna Åberg, his personal trainer, followed a whirlwind romance that began with an unexpected pregnancy. They welcomed son Ethan in 2005, marrying shortly after in 2008. However, their union was short-lived, ending in divorce just 18 months later, with Anka gaining full custody of their son. Åberg, a former model and actress known for her role in Swedish reality television, has since remarried and operates a wellness company in Los Angeles.
In 2010, Anka began dating Lisa Pemberton, a connection made at a mutual friend’s wedding. The couple married in a low-key ceremony in Los Angeles, where Anka’s son Ethan played a special role in the event. Anka has praised Pemberton as a loving partner and animal enthusiast, but their marriage faced challenges that led to their separation in 2020.
Though Anka expressed in 2021 that he had found love again, he was hesitant about the prospect of marriage, humorously stating, “No! No, no, no, no, no.” His reflections on love reveal a complex journey shaped by the ups and downs of relationships, a theme he has often woven into his music throughout his illustrious career.
Paul Anka’s story is one of enduring love and the pursuit of happiness, highlighting the significance of relationships in a life filled with song and passion.