Starting Point
Every love story has a beginning. Some also have a painful ending. The story of Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka is one that started beautifully at a friend’s wedding, blossomed over six years of quiet romance, became a public celebration watched by famous names, and then ended in silence after four years of marriage.
Their divorce in 2020 became one of the most searched celebrity separation stories in recent years. People wanted to know why it happened, what went wrong, and how both parties have moved forward since. Furthermore, the story raises deeper questions about late-life love, age differences in relationships, and the challenge of building a life with someone whose world is defined by decades of global fame.
In this article, we cover the complete story of Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka from beginning to end. You will learn how they met, what their wedding was like, what caused the marriage to break down, what Paul said publicly about the divorce, and where both Lisa and Paul are today in 2026. By the end, you will have a full, honest, and clear picture of one of the most quietly dramatic separations connected to the music world in recent years.
Who Are Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka?
Lisa Pemberton: A Private Woman with a Quiet Story
Lisa Pemberton was born on July 15, 1953, in Ontario, Canada. She grew up in Ottawa and later attended Carleton University, where she earned a degree in psychology and human relations. She also pursued further education at UC Berkeley School of Public Health. After completing her studies, she worked as a counsellor for adolescents and later built a career in the film industry as a makeup professional.
Her film credits include major productions such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, World War Z, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Criminal, and The Legend of Tarzan. These are globally recognized films, and her behind-the-scenes contributions required real technical skill and professional consistency.
Furthermore, what defines Lisa Pemberton above all else is her commitment to privacy. Before their marriage, during it, and after their divorce, she has remained fundamentally the same grounded and private person.
Paul Anka: A Legend with a Complex Personal Life
Paul Albert Anka was born on July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in the history of popular music. His career began in the late 1950s when he was just a teenager recording songs like Diana and Puppy Love that became massive international hits.
Over his decades-long career, he wrote and performed some of the most recognizable songs ever recorded. He wrote My Way for Frank Sinatra, She’s a Lady for Tom Jones, the theme for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and co-wrote three songs with Michael Jackson. His talent and longevity in the music industry are genuinely extraordinary.
However, his personal life has been far more complicated than his professional success. He was married three times before his relationship with Lisa Pemberton, and each marriage ended in divorce. Understanding that pattern helps explain a great deal about what eventually happened in his marriage to Lisa.
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka Attributes Table
| Attribute | Lisa Pemberton | Paul Anka |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 15, 1953 | July 30, 1941 |
| Age (2026) | 72 Years Old | 84 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Ontario, Canada | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian | Canadian and American |
| Profession | Film Makeup Professional and Counsellor | Singer, Songwriter, Actor |
| Education | Carleton University, UC Berkeley | Fisher Park High School, Ottawa |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 million to $2 million | Estimated $30 million to $80 million |
| Marriage Date | October 22, 2016 | October 22, 2016 |
| Divorce Year | 2020 | 2020 |
| Duration of Marriage | 4 Years | 4 Years |
| Children Together | None | None |
| Stepchildren (Lisa) | Ethan Anka and five stepdaughters | Not applicable |
| Current Status | Single and private as of 2026 | In a relationship with Michele Kahl |
| Social Media | No active public accounts | Active on Instagram |
| Public Life | Deliberately private | Publicly active |
Paul Anka’s Previous Marriages: Understanding the Pattern
His First Marriage to Anne de Zogheb (1963 to 2001)
Before meeting Lisa Pemberton, Paul Anka had already experienced two marriages. His first was to Anne de Zogheb, the daughter of a Lebanese diplomat. He met her in Puerto Rico in 1962, and they married on February 16, 1963, in Paris. Their marriage lasted 37 years and produced five daughters: Alexandra, Amanda, Alicia, Anthea, and Amelia.
Despite the length of that marriage, it ultimately ended in divorce in 2001. Paul has since called Anne the love of his life and acknowledged that his demanding touring schedule placed unbearable strain on their family life. He was travelling approximately 200 days a year during their marriage, which made real domestic stability almost impossible to maintain.
Anne de Zogheb later passed away on March 29, 2017, in Hollywood, at the age of 74. Her death came just months after Paul and Lisa had married, adding an unexpected emotional layer to the early period of their relationship together.
His Second Marriage to Anna Aberg (2008 to 2010)
Paul Anka’s second marriage was to Anna Aberg, a Swedish model and former Miss Sweden who had been his personal trainer. Their relationship began unexpectedly, and Paul has said the marriage was primarily his decision to take responsibility after Anna became pregnant with their son Ethan in 2005.
Their marriage took place in Sardinia, Italy in 2008, but it lasted less than two years. The divorce was contentious and involved a bitter public custody battle over their son Ethan. Paul won full custody of Ethan, who was approximately eleven years old when Paul and Lisa later married in 2016. That custody arrangement would later play a touching role in Lisa and Paul’s wedding.
Furthermore, the breakdown of this second marriage revealed something important about Paul Anka as a partner. He acknowledged in interviews that his marriages had repeatedly struggled, and that his own unhappiness in relationships had been a recurring theme throughout his personal life.
How Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka Met
A Meeting at a Friend’s Wedding
The story of how Lisa and Paul found each other is genuinely sweet and surprisingly ordinary for two people connected to the entertainment world. They met at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2010. It was a social occasion built around love and celebration, and something in that warm atmosphere allowed a real connection to form between them.
Paul was 68 years old at the time and Lisa was 57. Both were at points in their lives where they had already experienced a great deal and knew clearly what they valued. Their shared Canadian roots, their love of animals, and their compatible personalities created a natural bond.
Furthermore, Paul spoke warmly about Lisa in his 2013 memoir My Way, describing her as a very giving and good person who got along wonderfully with his son Ethan. He wrote honestly that seeing how much Ethan adored Lisa made everything feel worth it. Those were the words of a genuinely happy man, which makes the eventual divorce feel all the more poignant when you read them today.
Six Years of Dating Before Marriage
Lisa and Paul dated for six full years before deciding to marry. That extended courtship was a deliberate choice on both their parts. After Paul’s complicated second marriage and bitter custody battle, both of them likely wanted to be absolutely certain before making a formal commitment.
Moreover, six years together gave them a genuine opportunity to build a real relationship rather than rushing into something on the basis of early excitement. By the time they married in 2016, they had already spent more time together as a couple than many marriages last in total.
Their Wedding in October 2016
A Beautiful and Star-Studded Ceremony
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka married on October 22, 2016, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The ceremony was described as intimate and deeply personal, attended by close friends and family rather than a large celebrity crowd.
Among the notable guests present were film producer Brian Grazer and legendary businessman Warren Buffett. Their attendance reflected the genuine warmth and affection that Paul’s close circle felt for the union. Furthermore, Paul described the evening as truly special and called Lisa a great lady who shared his love for animals and his values around family.
The most moving moment of the entire ceremony came from an eleven-year-old boy rather than any famous name in the room. Paul’s son Ethan walked Lisa down the aisle, giving her away to his father in a gesture of love and acceptance that left almost everyone in attendance deeply moved. It was a moment that spoke beautifully about the family bond they had already built during their six years together.
What the Wedding Said About Their Relationship
The simplicity and warmth of the wedding reflected exactly who Lisa Pemberton is. She did not demand a lavish spectacle or a publicly broadcast ceremony. She chose an intimate gathering of people who genuinely mattered.
Furthermore, the presence of Ethan as the person who walked her down the aisle told its own story. Lisa had already become a meaningful presence in his life long before the wedding. That relationship with Paul’s son was clearly one of the most genuine and meaningful parts of their connection as a couple.
Marriage Attributes Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Wedding Date | October 22, 2016 |
| Wedding Venue | Four Seasons Hotel, Beverly Hills, California |
| Wedding Style | Intimate, small, and personally meaningful |
| Notable Guests | Brian Grazer (Film Producer), Warren Buffett (Businessman) |
| Who Walked Lisa Down the Aisle | Ethan Anka, Paul’s eleven-year-old son |
| Children Together | None |
| Lisa’s Role in Family | Stepmother to Ethan and five stepdaughters from Paul’s first marriage |
| Paul’s Age at Wedding | 75 Years Old |
| Lisa’s Age at Wedding | 63 Years Old |
| Age Difference | Approximately 12 years |
| Paul’s Description of Lisa | Called her a great lady and a very giving and good person |
| Duration of Marriage | 4 Years (2016 to 2020) |
| Divorce Year | 2020 |
| Paul’s Comment on Marriage | Said he felt miserable and could not continue living that way |
| Lisa’s Public Response to Divorce | None, she stepped back into privacy immediately |
What Caused the Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka Divorce?
Paul’s Own Words About the Marriage Breaking Down
The most direct insight into why the marriage ended comes from Paul Anka himself. In a 2021 interview, he opened up about the deep unhappiness he experienced during the later years of his marriage to Lisa. His words were vivid and emotionally honest.
Paul described a particular low moment during the marriage when he took out his birth certificate, looked at it, and thought about how much time he had left in his life. He said that in that moment, he realized clearly that he simply could not continue living in that unhappy state. That reflection, tied to his awareness of aging and the limited time ahead, gave him the emotional clarity to move forward with the separation.
Furthermore, Paul’s characterization of the marriage as rocky in its later years stood in contrast to the warmth with which he had spoken about Lisa publicly during their early years together. Something had clearly shifted between the couple during those four years, though the specific details of what went wrong have never been publicly confirmed by either side.
What We Do Not Know
It is important to acknowledge what is not confirmed about this divorce. Lisa Pemberton has never spoken publicly about why the marriage ended. She has given no interviews, made no social media statements, and issued no public comments of any kind. Everything that is publicly known comes from Paul’s side of the story.
As a result, any complete understanding of what happened between them is necessarily incomplete. Paul’s unhappiness was clearly real. However, the full picture of the marriage, including Lisa’s perspective, remains entirely private. That gap in the public record deserves respect rather than speculation.
Was the Age Difference a Factor?
Paul Anka was 75 years old when he married Lisa, who was 63. While both were adults well past middle age, the 12-year difference between them still represented meaningfully different stages of life, health awareness, and personal priorities.
Paul’s comment about looking at his birth certificate and thinking about how much time he had left suggests that questions of aging and mortality played a significant role in his emotional state during the marriage. When someone is in their late seventies reflecting urgently on how much life remains, their priorities and needs may shift in ways that are difficult for even the most caring partner to fully accommodate.
Moreover, the long-term demands of life with an active, globally touring music legend carry a unique set of pressures. Lisa had chosen a deliberately private and calm lifestyle throughout her career. The constant movement, public appearances, and entertainment world demands that come with being Paul Anka’s wife may have created friction with the quiet life she genuinely preferred.
How the Divorce Was Handled
Lisa’s Response: Complete Silence and Dignity
When the divorce became public in 2020, Lisa Pemberton did what she has always done. She said nothing and stepped quietly back into her private life. There were no public statements, no social media posts, no interviews with entertainment journalists, and no dramatic announcements of any kind.
That response was entirely in keeping with the woman she has always been. Privacy is not simply a preference for Lisa. It is a core personal value that has defined every chapter of her life. Even when the end of her marriage gave her every reason to speak publicly, she chose silence. That choice commands genuine respect.
Furthermore, the fact that she helped raise Ethan during their four years together without ever seeking public credit for that role tells its own story. She contributed to that family quietly and then stepped away from it the same way.
Paul’s Response: Openness About His Feelings
Paul Anka, by contrast, addressed the divorce openly in interviews during 2021. He spoke honestly about his unhappiness during the marriage, his moment of existential reflection over his birth certificate, and his decision that he needed to prioritize his own wellbeing and remaining years.
When asked directly about remarrying, he responded with an emphatic and repeated no, followed by the acknowledgment that this position was subject to change.
Life After the Divorce
Where Is Lisa Pemberton Now in 2026?
As of 2026, Lisa Pemberton is living a quiet and completely private life. There are no confirmed reports of a new relationship, a new public career move, or any public activity of any kind. She appears to be exactly where she has always been most comfortable, living privately and on her own terms.
Her estimated net worth stands at between $1 million and $2 million, earned through her long career as a film makeup professional and counsellor. She does not maintain any active social media profiles and has not made any public statements about her post-divorce life.
In many ways, Lisa Pemberton’s response to being thrust unwillingly into public view through her marriage and divorce has been a masterclass in grace and self-possession. She came into the spotlight because of someone else’s fame, and she left it the same way, without drama, without grievance, and without a single public word.
Where Is Paul Anka Now in 2026?
Paul Anka has remained very publicly active in 2026. He is in a relationship with Michele Kahl, a woman significantly younger than him, with whom he has been photographed regularly and whom he has acknowledged openly in interviews. He has confirmed that he is happy in this relationship but that he has no plans to marry again.
Professionally, Paul Anka remains remarkably active at 84 years old. A documentary about his life titled Paul Anka: His Way premiered on HBO Max in late 2025, bringing renewed public attention to his extraordinary career and personal history. He also released a new album called Inspirations of Life and Love, demonstrating a creative energy that very few artists maintain at his age.
Furthermore, his three marriages, including his marriage to Lisa, have been discussed extensively in the context of that documentary. As a result, public interest in Lisa Pemberton’s story has increased significantly in 2026 alongside renewed coverage of his life and career.
Lisa Pemberton Life After Divorce Attributes Table
| Attribute | Lisa Pemberton | Paul Anka |
|---|---|---|
| Current Status | Single and private | In a relationship with Michele Kahl |
| Public Statements Post Divorce | None | Open and honest in multiple interviews |
| New Relationship | Not confirmed | Michele Kahl (since approximately 2021) |
| Plans to Remarry | Unknown, no public statement | Emphatically no as of 2026 |
| Social Media Activity | None | Active on Instagram |
| Career Post Divorce | Private and unconfirmed | Active musician, documentary subject, new album |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $1 million to $2 million | Estimated $30 million to $80 million |
| Public Appearances | None known | Regular at events and concerts |
| Documentary | Not featured | Paul Anka: His Way premiered December 2025 |
| New Album | Not applicable | Inspirations of Life and Love released 2025 |
| Location | Believed to be in California | Los Angeles, California |
| Contact with Ethan | Unknown, believed minimal | Active parent and close relationship |
What This Story Teaches Us About Love and Later Life
Late Love Is Real But Not Always Lasting
The story of Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka is a reminder that finding love later in life is genuinely possible and genuinely meaningful. They met in their late fifties and sixties, spent six thoughtful years building a real connection, and then made a formal commitment in front of the people who mattered most to them.
The fact that their marriage ultimately ended does not diminish the reality of what they shared. Late-life relationships carry their own unique beauty and their own unique challenges. Questions of aging, mortality, lifestyle compatibility, and the weight of long personal histories make them more complex, not less worthy of respect.
Silence Can Be the Most Powerful Response
One of the most striking aspects of this entire story is the contrast between Paul’s public openness and Lisa’s total silence after the divorce. Both responses are valid. However, Lisa’s choice to say nothing and simply return to her private life has a particular quiet power.
As a result, her dignity throughout this entire public episode has been completely intact. That kind of grace is rare in a world where personal grievances are shared instantly and publicly.
Lisa Pemberton Divorce Paul Anka: 10 Frequently Asked Questions
When did Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka get married?
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka married on October 22, 2016, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The ceremony was intimate and attended by close friends and family, including film producer Brian Grazer and businessman Warren Buffett. Paul’s son Ethan walked Lisa down the aisle in one of the most touching moments of the evening.
When did Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka divorce?
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka divorced in 2020, after four years of marriage. The split became public knowledge during that year, though neither party made a formal public announcement. Lisa said nothing publicly, while Paul later addressed the divorce openly in a 2021 interview.
Why did Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka divorce?
Paul Anka spoke publicly about feeling deeply unhappy during the later years of their marriage. He described a particular low moment when he looked at his birth certificate, reflected on how much time he had left, and realized he could not continue living that way. The specific reasons behind the unhappiness have never been officially confirmed by either party, as Lisa has never spoken publicly about the divorce.
How long were Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka married?
They were married for four years, from October 2016 to 2020. Before their marriage, they had dated for six years after meeting at a friend’s wedding in 2010. In total, they spent approximately ten years together from the beginning of their relationship to its end.
Did Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka have children together?
No. Lisa and Paul did not have any biological children together during their marriage. However, Lisa helped raise Paul’s son Ethan during the four years they were married. Ethan was eleven years old at the time of their wedding and had a notably warm relationship with Lisa from early in her and Paul’s courtship.
How did Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka meet?
They met at a mutual friend’s wedding in 2010. The setting was relaxed and celebratory, and the two connected naturally in that environment. After meeting, they began dating and spent six years together before deciding to get married in October 2016.
What did Paul Anka say about his divorce from Lisa Pemberton?
In a 2021 interview, Paul Anka said openly that his marriage to Lisa had been rocky and that he had felt genuinely miserable toward the end. He recounted a moment of reflection where he took out his birth certificate and thought about how much time he had remaining. He said clearly that he could not continue living in that unhappy state and that the decision to divorce was ultimately about prioritizing his own wellbeing.
How did Lisa Pemberton respond to the divorce publicly?
Lisa Pemberton has made absolutely no public statements about the divorce. She gave no interviews, posted nothing on social media, and has maintained complete silence on the subject. Her response was entirely consistent with her lifelong preference for privacy over public attention.
Is Lisa Pemberton in a new relationship in 2026?
As of 2026, there are no confirmed reports that Lisa Pemberton has entered a new relationship. She appears to be living privately and independently. No public appearances, social media activity, or verified reports of a new partner have emerged since the divorce in 2020.
What is Paul Anka doing in 2026 after his divorce from Lisa Pemberton?
Paul Anka is very publicly active in 2026. He is in a relationship with Michele Kahl, which he has acknowledged openly. His documentary Paul Anka: His Way premiered on HBO Max in late 2025. He also released a new album called Inspirations of Life and Love. Furthermore, he has emphatically stated in interviews that he has no intention of getting married a fourth time.
Final Thoughts: The Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka Divorce Was Handled with Grace on Both Sides
The story of the Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka divorce is ultimately not a story about failure. In fact, it is a story about two real people who found something genuine in each other later in life, built a real relationship over many years, made a sincere commitment, and then honestly acknowledged when it was time to move in different directions.
Paul Anka handled the end of the marriage with public honesty, admitting his own unhappiness without placing blame and acknowledging that his own wellbeing needed to come first. That kind of self-awareness, even when it comes late, deserves acknowledgment.
Furthermore, Lisa Pemberton handled everything with a quiet dignity that speaks louder than any interview ever could. She gave no statements, sought no sympathy, and made no public drama out of a genuinely painful private experience. She simply stepped back into the private life she has always valued most.
Therefore, what this story leaves behind is not bitterness or scandal. It is a clear and human reminder that even the most carefully built late-life love stories can reach unexpected endings. And that how you handle those endings says far more about your character than the ending itself ever could.