Anne de Zogheb lived a life full of quiet beauty. She was not a loud celebrity. She didn’t chase fame or attention. But behind the scenes, she lived with grace, class, and love.
Many people know Paul Anka, the singer behind big songs like Diana and Put Your Head on My Shoulder. But fewer people know the woman he called the love of his life. That woman was Anne de Zogheb.
Anne was a fashion model, a mother of five daughters, and a collector of beautiful art. She married Paul Anka in the 1960s and stayed with him for nearly 40 years. In this article, we will explore her full story — from her early life to the quiet way she said goodbye in 2017.
Anne Alison de Zogheb Profile Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anne Alison de Zogheb |
| Date of Birth | October 2, 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Alexandria, Egypt |
| Nationality | Egyptian‑American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Lebanese father, English mother) |
| Profession | Fashion Model, Art Collector |
| Famous For | Being Paul Anka’s first wife |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex‑Husband | Paul Anka |
| Marriage Years | 1963 – 2000 |
| Children | Five daughters |
| Daughters’ Names | Alexandra, Amanda, Alicia, Anthea, Amelia |
| Date of Death | March 29, 2017 |
| Age at Death | 74 years |
Who Was Anne de Zogheb?
Anne de Zogheb was more than just a famous wife. She was smart, classy, and lived a peaceful life. She was known for her calm personality and soft beauty. Even though she was a model in big magazines, she stayed very private.
She became most known as the first wife of Paul Anka. They were married for 37 years and had five daughters together. But even after the marriage ended, Anne chose to live quietly and never married again. She focused on her family, her art, and her peace.
Anne de Zogheb’s Early Life
Anne was born on October 2, 1942, in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father was a Lebanese diplomat named Charles de Zogheb, and her mother was English. She was born with a twin sister, and they lived in Egypt during their early childhood.
In 1952, her family moved to London because of the Egyptian Revolution. Anne was still very young at the time. Later, they moved again — this time to Paris. This gave Anne a very international background. She grew up with many cultures around her. While living in London, Anne was sent to a convent school. She had a strict school life and didn’t enjoy it very much. Her family didn’t have a lot of money for college when she finished school, so she couldn’t go to university.
Instead, she was sent to a finishing school in Paris. These schools taught girls manners, fashion, and how to behave in high society. But Anne didn’t like it at all. She once said in an interview that she hated being there. She even called her parents and told them she wanted to leave — and she did.
Anne de Zogheb’s Modeling Journey
After leaving school, Anne found her path in modeling. She started working at a small fashion house in Paris. She had natural beauty, a calm smile, and a unique charm that made her stand out.
Soon, her life changed. She was discovered by Paris Match Magazine and later signed by the famous modeling agent Eileen Ford. In 1959, Anne moved to New York City, where her modeling career grew quickly.
Anne became a top model of her time. She was featured in famous magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. She also walked for top fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, and Balenciaga. Many people admired her simple elegance.
But even though she had a bright future in fashion, Anne stepped away from the spotlight. After her second daughter was born in 1968, she decided to quit modeling to focus on her family. That choice showed her deep love for home life over fame.
How Anne Met Paul Anka
Anne met Paul Anka in 1962 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At that time, she was working as a model on assignment. Paul was there too, filming the movie The Longest Day.
They met through work, but the connection was instant. They came from different worlds — she was a calm, artistic model, and he was a rising music star. But they liked each other right away. Their relationship grew fast, and after just a year of dating, they got married.
Anne Marriage to Paul Anka
Anne and Paul Anka got married on February 16, 1963, at Orly Airport in Paris. The wedding was simple and romantic. They didn’t have a big media event — just close people and a lot of love.
After their marriage, they lived in New York, then Las Vegas, and later in Carmel, California. Paul was often traveling for music tours, while Anne stayed home and took care of their growing family.
Their life was busy but full of love. Paul wrote some of his most famous songs during this time. One of them was “(You’re) Having My Baby,” which was inspired by his family life. Anne supported him quietly, always staying out of the spotlight.
Even years later, Paul said that Anne was the love of his life. He shared that his work kept him away too much, and he regrets how that affected their marriage. But the love between them was always strong.
Anne de Zogheb’s Divorce
After many years of marriage, things began to change. Paul Anka was traveling often for his music career. He later said he was gone more than 200 days each year. That made family life very hard.
In 1994, Paul filed for divorce. It was a difficult decision. The divorce became final in October 2000, ending a marriage that lasted 37 years. Paul later said, “It was my choice, not hers. I still love her.”
Anne stayed quiet after the divorce. She didn’t go to the media or talk about it. She chose peace. She focused on her children and her private life. Even after the split, Paul and Anne stayed in touch.
Meet Anne’s Daughters
Anne de Zogheb and Paul Anka had five daughters together. Each one followed her own path, and Anne was proud of them all.
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Alexandra Anka is the oldest. She became a lawyer and now lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Amanda Anka, born in 1968, is an actress and producer. She is married to Jason Bateman and lives in Malibu with their two daughters.
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Alicia Anka, born in 1971, is a yoga teacher, life coach, and founder of Balance Yoga in California.
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Anthea Anka is a writer, singer, and blogger. She wrote the movie Battle Creek and lives in North London with her husband and son.
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Amelia Anka is the youngest. She lives a very private life in Los Angeles and is the mother of two.
All five daughters stayed close to their mother. After Anne passed, Anthea wrote, “She raised five strong women. We will carry her love with us forever.”
Anne de Zogheb Love Art
After leaving modeling, Anne found a new love — art. She became a serious art collector, and her taste was both modern and bold.
She started with minimalist art. Her first pieces came from artists like Sol LeWitt, Robert Rauschenberg, and Mark di Suvero. These works were simple but powerful — just like Anne’s style.
Later, Anne’s collection grew. She added large and beautiful works by Christopher Wool, Albert Oehlen, and more. Her home was full of creativity. Art made her happy and gave her quiet joy.
Anne de Zogheb’s Net Worth
Anne de Zogheb never showed off money or fame. She lived in a calm way and stayed out of the spotlight.
Her exact net worth is not known. But after her divorce, she likely received a fair settlement. She also owned valuable art, which may have added to her wealth.
Still, Anne never cared about luxury or showing off. She chose to live simply. Her focus was always on her children, her art, and her peaceful life.
Final Thoughts
Anne de Zogheb lived a soft and beautiful life. She never looked for fame, yet she touched many lives with her grace. She was strong in her own quiet way.
She was a loving wife, a kind mother, a model of beauty, and a woman of style. She gave up fame to raise her family. And she never stopped being true to herself.
Anne passed away on March 29, 2017, at the age of 74 in Hollywood, California. The cause of her death was not shared. But her memory lives on — in her daughters, in her art, and in the quiet strength she showed the world.
Her story reminds us that some people shine in silence. And that grace, love, and family are what truly last.
(FAQs)
When and where was Anne de Zogheb born?
Anne de Zogheb was born on October 2, 1942, in Alexandria, Egypt. She grew up in different countries, including England and France, before later moving to the United States.
What was Anne de Zogheb known for?
Anne was known for her modeling career, her elegant style, and her love for modern art. Many people also know her as Paul Anka’s first wife and the mother of his five daughters.
How did Anne de Zogheb meet Paul Anka?
Anne met Paul Anka in 1962 in Puerto Rico. She was there for modeling work, and Paul was filming a movie. They connected quickly and fell in love soon after meeting.
When did Anne de Zogheb marry Paul Anka?
Anne and Paul Anka got married on February 16, 1963, in Paris, France. Their wedding took place at Orly Airport and was simple and private.
How long were Anne de Zogheb and Paul Anka married?
They were married for 37 years. Their marriage lasted from 1963 to 2000. Even after the divorce, Paul Anka said Anne was the love of his life.
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