Net Worth Ranker
What Is Paul Anka’s Net Worth?
Paul Anka, the celebrated Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor, has amassed a substantial net worth of $80 million. This financial achievement reflects his long and successful career in the entertainment industry, spanning several decades and encompassing diverse roles as a performer, composer, and actor. Anka’s income is derived from various sources, including royalties from his extensive catalog of songs, performance fees from concerts and appearances, and earnings from acting roles.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Paul Anka’s early life provided a fertile ground for his musical talents to flourish. His parents, Camelia and Andrew Anka, were of Lebanese Christian descent, instilling in him a rich cultural heritage. Anka’s formal musical education began with piano lessons under Winnifred Rees. He honed his vocal skills as a member of the St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral choir. During his time at Fisher Park High School in Ottawa, he joined a vocal trio known as the Bobby Soxers, further developing his performance abilities. At the remarkably young age of 14, Anka recorded his first single, “I Confess,” marking the official start of his professional journey in music. While specific details about early earnings or contract terms from this period are not available, the experience undoubtedly contributed to his later success.
Rise to Fame and Early Career Success
In 1956, at the age of 15, Paul Anka made a pivotal trip to New York City, where he auditioned for Don Costa at ABC Records. This audition proved to be a turning point in his career. The song he performed, “Diana,” was released in 1957 and became a monumental hit, reaching #1 on both the US and Canadian music charts. “Diana” became one of the best-selling singles ever by a Canadian artist. While precise sales figures for “Diana” in its initial release year are difficult to verify, estimates suggest it sold millions of copies worldwide. Anka’s success continued in 1958 with four songs that reached the top 20. These included “It’s Time to Cry,” which peaked at #4, and “(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings,” which reached #15. By the age of 17, Paul Anka was one of the leading teen idols of the era. He embarked on tours in the UK and Australia, performing alongside Buddy Holly in Australia. Anka wrote the song “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” for Holly, recorded shortly before Holly’s death in 1959. Anka also wrote the theme for “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” In 1960, Anka wrote “Teddy,” which became a top 20 hit for Connie Francis. He later wrote the English lyrics to Frank Sinatra’s version of “My Way.” While acting, Anka also began writing songs for films, including “Lonely Boy,” which he sang in “Girls Town,” and the theme to the war film “The Longest Day.” While specific details about Anka’s earnings from songwriting credits and film appearances during this early phase of his career are not publicly accessible, these activities contributed substantially to his burgeoning financial success.
Career in the 1970s and 80s
In the early 1970s, Paul Anka signed with Buddah Records, releasing two albums: “Paul Anka” and “Jubilation.” For the former album, released in 1971, Anka wrote “She’s a Lady.” Although Anka’s version did not achieve chart success, the song became a major hit when Tom Jones released his version later in the year. After a decade without a top 25 hit, Anka signed with United Artists. Partnering with singer Odia Coates in 1974, he made a comeback with the #1 hit “(You’re) Having My Baby.” Two more duets by Anka and Coates reached the top 10: “One Man Woman/One Woman Man” and “I Don’t Like to Sleep Alone.” Another duet, “(I Believe) There’s Nothing Stronger Than Our Love,” reached #15. In 1975, Paul had another hit with “Times of Your Life,” a jingle he recorded for Kodak. The jingle was so popular that Anka turned it into a full song, which reached #7 on the US pop chart. While specific royalty rates and contract details for Anka’s recordings and performances during this period are not publicly accessible, his resurgence in popularity undoubtedly translated into increased revenue from record sales, concert tours, and songwriting royalties.
Recordings in the 1990s and 2000s
In 1998, Anka released his album “A Body of Work,” his first new American studio release since 1983’s “Walk a Fine Line.” The album included contributions by Patti LaBelle, Celine Dion, and Kenny G, among others. This was followed by 2005’s “Rock Swings,” an album composed of big-band arrangements of modern rock songs. Anka later released the albums “Songs of December,” which hit #58 in Canada, and “Duets,” released in 2013. The album “Rock Swings” achieved notable commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies in the United States and earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). While exact royalty rates from record sales and digital downloads are not publicly disclosed, this success generated significant revenue for Anka. During this period, Paul Anka co-wrote Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” and “Love Never Felt So Good,” both of which became massive hits after Jackson’s passing. Although precise details regarding Anka’s co-writing agreement with Michael Jackson’s estate are confidential, it is well-known that songwriting credits for such high-profile projects are lucrative. Anka’s earnings from these posthumous releases likely contributed significantly to his overall net worth.
Acting Career
Paul Anka’s acting career includes roles in films such as “Let’s Rock,” “Verboten!,” “Girls Town,” “The Private Lives of Adam & Eve,” and “Look in Any Window.” In 1962, Anka appeared in “The Longest Day,” playing an army private. He guest-starred in the made-for-television Perry Mason movie “The Case of the Maligned Mobster” and played a yacht broker in the Kurt Russell comedy film “Captain Ron.” In 1995, Paul voiced himself in “The Simpsons.” The next year, he appeared in “Mad Dog Time.” Later credits include the 2001 film “3000 Miles to Graceland,” the NBC series “Las Vegas,” and the dramedy series “Gilmore Girls,” on which he played a version of himself. While specific salary details for Anka’s acting roles are not generally available, guest appearances on popular television shows and roles in films contribute to his overall income.
Personal Life
From 1963 to 2001, Anka was married to Anne de Zogheb, the daughter of a Lebanese diplomat. The pair has five daughters: Amelia, Anthea, Alicia, Amanda, and Alexandra. Paul’s daughter Amanda is married to actor Jason Bateman. In 2008, Anka wed Swedish model and actress Anna Åberg. Prior to marrying, Anna Anka was Paul’s personal trainer. In 2010, they divorced, with Paul taking full custody of their son. In 2016, Anka married Lisa Pemberton in Beverly Hills.
Real Estate Assets
In April 2007, Paul Anka purchased a 6,000-square-foot mansion in Westlake Village, California, for $3.9 million. This property, located in a gated community known for its upscale residences, features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a swimming pool, a spa, and a home theater. In August 2024, Anka listed this home for sale with an asking price of $10 million. Although it is not confirmed whether the listing resulted in a sale at that price, it represents a substantial appreciation in value over the years. In addition to his Westlake Village property, Paul Anka is known to have owned other real estate assets throughout his career, although specific details about these properties are not publicly accessible. Real estate investments have played a role in diversifying and growing his wealth.
