Paul Anka: The Life, the hits and a legacy still in the making
BY California Stories – Giselle Fernandez
PUBLISHED 7:00 AM PT Oct. 19, 2026
Paul Anka was just 15 when “Diana” made him an international star, transforming a young aspiring singer from Ottawa, Canada, into one of the defining teen idols of his generation.
He discovered his passion for performing early and quickly distinguished himself as a songwriter in an era when young singers were often handed material. Anka’s success opened doors around the world, bringing him face-to-face with some of the biggest names in entertainment and setting him on a path few could have imagined.
Looking back on his journey on a special 1-hour episode of “California Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” Anka recognizes just how extraordinary it has been.
“I’ve lived two lives,” he said. “And here I am still doing something that I love.”
As his career evolved, Anka proved he was far more than a teenage heartthrob. His songwriting produced hits across generations, including his own hits “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” and “Puppy Love”, as well as songs for other artists, such as “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” for Buddy Holly and “She’s a Lady” for Tom Jones. But perhaps his most enduring contribution came when he adapted a French song into “My Way,” the anthem made famous by Frank Sinatra.
Along the way, Anka navigated personal loss and the challenges of growing up in the spotlight, while building a family and maintaining a career in an ever-changing industry. Through it all, he has learned to see setbacks not as endings, but as part of the journey.
“You don’t have a lot of regrets, you have life lessons,” he said.
Now in his 80s, Anka shows little interest in slowing down. He continues to tour, has new creative projects in the works and is developing a Broadway musical about his life. At his Lake Sherwood home, surrounded by reminders of a remarkable career, he reflects on the past with Fernandez while looking toward what comes next. He remains driven by the same passion that propelled him from a teenager with a dream to a music legend, with more songs to write and more audiences to reach.
Yet when asked to consider his legacy, Anka returns to something more personal than fame or accolades: the lasting impact of the moments people share and remember.
“It’s going to be the moments and the memories. The times of your life.”