Who Was Anne de Zogheb, Paul Anka’s Ex-Wife? Her Story Revealed

Sometimes, the most graceful people are not the loudest ones. Anne de Zogheb was one of those rare souls. She was a beautiful fashion model, a peaceful art collector, and the first wife of famous singer Paul Anka. While Paul was in the spotlight, Anne stayed calm, elegant, and private.

In this article, we’ll gently walk through Anne de Zogheb’s life. You’ll learn where she came from, how she became a model, how she met Paul Anka, and what made her so special. Her story is quiet, but it’s full of beauty, strength, and love.

Let’s begin with who she was.

Anne de Zogheb Quick Bio

Who Was Anne de Zogheb?

Anne de Zogheb was an Egyptian-American fashion model and art lover. Most people know her as Paul Anka’s ex-wife, but there was so much more to her than just being married to a famous singer.

She was elegant without trying too hard. She had a calm personality, a warm heart, and a love for beauty—whether it was in clothes, art, or family life. Even when surrounded by fame and lights, she stayed true to herself.

Anne was a quiet force behind the scenes. She supported Paul during his busy career and raised five daughters with care and love. People who met her always remembered her grace.

Anne de Zogheb’s Early Life and Family

Anne was born on October 2, 1942, in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father, Charles de Zogheb, was a Lebanese diplomat. Her mother was English, but her name is not well known. Anne also had a twin sister, which is a little-known fact about her childhood.

She grew up in a cultured and international family. Her parents were well-educated and traveled often, which exposed Anne to many different cultures and ideas from a young age.

Her calm and open-minded nature may have come from this rich background. Even as a child, she seemed to carry herself with grace and quiet strength.

Why Anne de Zogheb’s Family Moved to Europe

In 1952, when Anne was just 10 years old, her family left Egypt. The country was going through big changes after the Egyptian Revolution. Many families, including hers, moved to find safety and peace.

They first went to London, where Anne was placed in a convent school. Later, she was sent to a finishing school in Paris. Anne once said in an interview that she didn’t like finishing school and called it “a disaster.” She missed her family and didn’t enjoy learning just about manners.

Still, these years shaped her. Living in both England and France gave Anne a deep love for art, fashion, and culture. These places quietly prepared her for her modeling career—though she didn’t know it at the time.

How Anne de Zogheb Became a Fashion Model

Anne’s journey into modeling started in a very natural way. She didn’t chase the spotlight. Instead, her look and presence simply stood out—calm, graceful, and timeless.

She was first noticed by Paris Match magazine in the 1950s. After being featured in a small fashion shoot, more people began to notice her. Fashion houses in Paris liked her elegant look and soft confidence.

Anne had a beauty that didn’t need loud makeup or dramatic poses. She just had that quiet charm that made people stop and look. And soon, big things started to happen.

Anne de Zogheb’s Modeling Career in New York

The big turning point came when Eileen Ford, one of the top modeling agents in the world, saw Anne’s talent. Eileen brought Anne to New York City in 1959 and helped launch her modeling career in America.

Anne signed with the Ford Modeling Agency and quickly became a top model. She was featured on the covers of top fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. She also worked with famous designers like Chanel, Dior, and Balenciaga.

Anne’s modeling career was full of success. But she never let it change who she was. She stayed grounded and never chased fame. She modeled with class, not noise.

She stopped modeling in 1968, shortly after having her second child. For Anne, family came first—and she wanted to be fully present as a mother.

Anne de Zogheb and Paul Anka’s Relationship

Anne met Paul Anka in 1962 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was a simple moment. Anne was on a modeling job, and Paul was working on a movie called The Longest Day.

Their meeting wasn’t fancy or planned. It just happened—and sometimes, that’s how the best love stories begin. They started dating shortly after, and their bond grew quietly and naturally.

Paul was already famous at the time, with hit songs like “Diana” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.” But Anne wasn’t drawn to the fame. She liked Paul for who he was, not what he had.

Anne de Zogheb’s Marriage to Paul Anka

Anne and Paul got married on February 16, 1963, at Orly Airport in Paris. Yes, the airport! It was a simple ceremony, without a lot of press or show. They just wanted to be together.

After their wedding, Anne became part of Paul’s very public life. She traveled with him, supported him, and stood beside him—but she never tried to take the spotlight.

Their marriage lasted for almost 37 years. That’s a long time, especially in the entertainment world. They had ups and downs, but their respect for each other never faded.

Paul later said that Anne was the “love of his life,” even though they eventually divorced in 2000.

Meet the Children of Anne de Zogheb and Paul Anka

Anne and Paul had five daughters together. Their names are Alexandra, Amanda, Alicia, Anthea, and Amelia. Each daughter grew up in a loving, balanced home—thanks to Anne’s calm presence.

Anne gave up her career to raise her girls full-time. She believed in being present, gentle, and supportive. She taught them values, confidence, and kindness—not just with words, but by example.

• Alexandra became a lawyer and lives in Geneva.

• Amanda is an actress and producer, married to Jason Bateman.

• Alicia is a yoga teacher and life coach in California.

• Anthea is a writer and blogger in London.

• Amelia, the youngest, lives a quiet, private life in Los Angeles.

Anne loved each daughter equally. She respected their choices and stood beside them every step of the way.

Anne de Zogheb’s Life After Divorce

After nearly 37 years of marriage, Anne de Zogheb and Paul Anka separated. Paul filed for divorce in 1994, and it became final in 2000. It was a sad moment, but both handled it with calm and respect.

Anne never spoke badly about Paul in public. She stayed quiet and private, just like she always had. Paul later shared in an interview that the divorce was his choice—not Anne’s. He also said that he still loved her and respected her deeply.

After the divorce, Anne chose a peaceful life. She did not remarry. She focused on spending time with her daughters, enjoying art, and staying away from public life.

Anne de Zogheb as an Art Collector

Anne had a deep love for art. She wasn’t just a fan—she was a serious art collector. Her collection included works by some of the most famous modern artists.

She owned pieces by Sol LeWitt, Robert Rauschenberg, Mark di Suvero, and Joel Shapiro. Later, her collection grew to include paintings by Christopher Wool and Albert Oehlen.

Art was her quiet passion. She loved visiting galleries, learning about new artists, and collecting what she loved. Even after leaving the modeling world, she found beauty and meaning in art. It brought her peace, joy, and a sense of freedom.

Anne de Zogheb’s Cause of Death

Anne de Zogheb passed away on March 29, 2017, in Hollywood, California. She was 74 years old. Her death came as a shock to many, even though she had been living a quiet life.

But here’s the part that made many people curious—the cause of her death was never made public. Her family decided to keep those details private. No funeral photos or burial location were shared either.

Many believe that she passed away from natural causes, but we cannot say for sure. What we do know is that she left this world with grace and dignity, just like she lived.

Final Thoughts

Anne de Zogheb was not the kind of person who chased headlines or wanted the spotlight. But even so, she touched many lives with her calm heart, quiet strength, and deep love for family.

Her daughter Anthea once wrote a heartfelt tribute after Anne’s passing. She said Anne had raised five strong, curious, and vibrant women. She called her mother’s love “fierce” and said she would be missed beyond words.

Today, Anne is remembered through her daughters, her peaceful way of living, and her quiet charm. She may not have been loud or flashy, but her presence was strong. Her life reminds us that there’s power in staying true to yourself.

She was a model, a wife, a mother, and an art lover. And most of all, she was a woman of grace.

(FAQs)

What was Anne de Zogheb’s cause of death?

Anne de Zogheb passed away in 2017 at age 74, but her exact cause of death has never been shared. Her family chose to keep it private, which has left many fans curious even today.

How many daughters did Anne de Zogheb have?

She had five daughters with Paul Anka — Alexandra, Amanda, Alicia, Anthea, and Amelia. Each daughter followed her own path, and one of them is married to actor Jason Bateman.

What was Anne de Zogheb’s net worth?

While her exact net worth was never public, Anne lived a wealthy life through modeling, art collecting, and her long marriage to Paul Anka. It’s believed her net worth was in the millions.

Why did Anne de Zogheb and Paul Anka divorce?

Paul Anka filed for divorce in 1994, and it was finalized in 2000. He later admitted it was his choice, not Anne’s, and said he still loved her. The real reason? His busy career kept him away from family.

What was Anne de Zogheb’s ethnicity?

Anne was of mixed ethnicity—her father was Lebanese, and her mother was English. She was born in Egypt, raised in Europe, and became an American citizen later.

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