Who Is Lisa Pemberton?
Many people know the name Paul Anka, the famous singer behind songs like Put Your Head on My Shoulder and Puppy Love. But not everyone knows much about Lisa Pemberton, the woman who once shared part of her life with him. She is widely recognized as the Paul Anka ex wife, but her life story goes far beyond that single label.
Besides her connection to Paul Anka, she built a successful career in Hollywood’s makeup department after transitioning from her initial work as an adolescent counselor. She has always preferred a quiet, private life over the glare of the spotlight, which is part of what makes her such an interesting subject for fans and curious readers alike.
Lisa Pemberton became a celebrity figure not by chasing fame, but simply by marrying one of the biggest names in music. Because Paul Anka is a music legend, the public quickly became curious about the woman who became his wife. Her biography is one of quiet strength, real career achievements, and a life lived very much on her own terms.
Lisa Pemberton Age, Early Life, Family & Education
Lisa was born on July 15, 1953, in Ontario, Canada, to her parents, Ron Pemberton and Dorothy Pemberton. As of 2026, Lisa Pemberton is 72 years old. She grew up far from the public attention that would later touch her life after marrying the famous singer Paul Anka.
Her childhood was spent in a supportive home environment in Ottawa, Canada. They reared their daughter in a quiet, nurturing home. While not much is publicly known about her parents’ occupations, Ron Pemberton and Dorothy Pemberton are described as a caring and supportive family who gave Lisa a stable upbringing. That kind of supportive home shaped who she became — a person of calm personality and strong values.
She attended the prestigious Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She graduated from Carleton University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human relations. This academic background gave her a solid understanding of human behavior, emotions, and communication skills that would prove useful throughout her career.
Lisa later pursued more education and graduated with a master’s degree from the UC Berkeley School of Public Health in the United States. The UC Berkeley School is one of the most respected institutions in the world, and completing a degree there speaks to her dedication to personal growth and professional growth alike.
Lisa Pemberton Career Journey
Early Career as a Counselor
Before she ever stepped onto a film set, Lisa Pemberton was working in a completely different field. She is reported to have been an adolescent counselor until 1977. This kind of employment involves patience, sensitivity and good communication abilities. Teenage years can be tough for lots of young people.
Her background in psychology and human relations made her a natural fit for youth counseling. Working with adolescents during their teenage years requires empathy, patience, and deep communication skills — all qualities that Lisa clearly developed during her education at Carleton University. Lisa studied psychology and human relations, and this career decision was a wonderful fit. She was educated to understand human behavior and to aid others.
This early career as a counselor shaped her supportive personality and caring personality, traits that would later define both her professional life and her role within Paul Anka’s family.
Work in the Film and Entertainment Industry
After stepping away from youth counseling, Lisa Pemberton found a new calling in the film industry. She transitioned into the makeup department and built a rewarding career working on some of Hollywood’s biggest productions. This demanding work requires creative skills, technical ability, and the ability to collaborate with actors and production teams under pressure.
Her work in the makeup department placed her squarely in the behind the scenes world of filmmaking — the kind of role that rarely gets a spotlight but is absolutely essential to the final product audiences see on screen. She worked as a makeup artist, prosthetics assistant, and also took on roles related to special effects and character designs, making her one of the more versatile talented professionals in her field.
Her move into the film industry was not just a career switch. It was a full transformation — from supporting adolescents emotionally to supporting actors physically and artistically in a high-stakes production environment.
Notable Movies and Projects
Lisa Pemberton’s film credits span some truly major Hollywood productions. Her work in movie production placed her alongside some of the biggest film projects of the 2000s and 2010s. Here is a look at the movies she has been associated with:
| Movie Title | Year |
| Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 | 2011 |
| War Horse | 2011 |
| John Carter | 2012 |
| World War Z | 2013 |
| Kingsman The Secret Service | 2014 |
| Jupiter Ascending | 2015 |
| Pan | 2015 |
| Pride and Prejudice and Zombies | 2016 |
| Legend | 2015 |
| Burnt | 2015 |
| Criminal | 2016 |
| The Legend of Tarzan | 2016 |
| The Autopsy of Jane Doe | 2016 |
| King Arthur Legend of the Sword | 2017 |
| 47 Meters Down | 2017 |
| The Marriage of Reason and Squalor | — |
These film projects span a wide range of genres — from fantasy and sci-fi to thriller and drama. Working across such diverse movies shows the range of Lisa’s skills within the creative department. Her involvement in huge productions like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and World War Z speaks to the trust that production teams placed in her abilities. Behind the scenes, she helped bring characters to life on screen in ways audiences rarely notice but always feel.
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka Relationship
How Lisa Pemberton Met Paul Anka
The story of how Lisa Pemberton met Paul Anka is actually quite simple and charming. They met each other at a friend’s wedding. What started as a casual encounter at a friend wedding slowly turned into something much more serious. The couples were found to be dating each other for six years before getting married.
Their relationship lasted six years before they decided to take the next step. The dating period suggests they took their time getting to know each other properly before making their relationship official. For Paul Anka, who had already been married twice before, this was a meaningful and considered decision.
Wedding and Married Life
Lisa Pemberton made headlines when she married legendary singer Paul Anka in 2016 at a lavish ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, attended by notable figures such as Warren Buffett and Brian Grazer. The wedding ceremony at the Four Seasons was a glamorous and well-attended event that immediately brought Lisa into the public eye.
The wedding took place in October 2016, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter for both of them. Their married life appeared stable from the outside, with Lisa taking on a supportive role within Paul Anka’s large and extended family.
Her Role in Paul Anka’s Family
She helped raise her ex-husband’s son, Ethan Anka. Ethan Anka, Paul’s son from his previous marriage with Anna Aberg, became a significant part of Lisa’s life during their married years. Beyond Ethan, Paul Anka had five daughters from earlier relationships — Amanda Anka, Alicia Anka, Amelia Anka, Alexandra Anka, and Anthea Anka — who became Lisa’s stepchildren.
Navigating a blended family of this size is no small task. Lisa’s background as a counselor and her naturally compassionate personality made her well-suited to this kind of family relationship. She approached her role within this family with kindness and warmth, becoming a kind person and generous person in the eyes of those around her.
Lisa and Paul don’t share any children together, but she does have six stepchildren from the first two marriages of Paul as Lisa was his third wife. Her supportive role in Paul Anka’s family was genuine and deeply felt, even if the marriage ultimately didn’t last.
Paul’s previous wives included Anne de Zogheb, a Lebanese diplomat’s daughter, and Anna Åberg, before he married Lisa.
Divorce and Reasons Behind the Separation
Lisa and her former husband ended their marriage in 2020 after four years together. The divorce came as a surprise to many fans who followed Paul Anka’s public relationship with Lisa. Paul Anka, now 82, briefly spoke about his marriage to Lisa, revealing his unhappiness. He recounted a moment when he took out his birth certificate, reflecting on how much time he had left, and realized that he couldn’t continue living in that unhappy state.
The separation was largely a private decision, and Lisa chose not to respond publicly or involve herself in any public scandals. There were no dramatic headlines from her side, which is very much in keeping with her quiet, reserved character. The divorce was finalized in 2020, and Paul Anka was reportedly awarded sole custody of Ethan Anka following the proceedings.
Lisa Pemberton’s Life After Divorce
After the divorce in 2020, Lisa Pemberton returned to the calm life she had always preferred. She chose a low profile lifestyle and avoided unnecessary media attention or public attention following the separation.
In terms of her professional activities, Lisa continued her work in the film industry where possible, staying connected to the movie industry that had been her career home for years. She has not made any major public appearances or given interviews since the divorce, which is entirely consistent with the private life she has always chosen to lead.
Paul Anka’s ex-wife, Lisa Pemberton, has always lived a quiet, secluded existence. She never sought to live like a star. Instead, she turned to her profession and private life out of the spotlight. As of 2026, she continues to lead a quiet life away from the media spotlight, and public records on her current activities remain limited. Her preference for privacy has only added to the curiosity and online search interest around her name.
Lisa Pemberton Net Worth and Sources of Income
Lisa Pemberton’s estimated net worth is a topic of public curiosity, though confirmed details remain limited. Based on available reports, her estimated net worth falls somewhere in the range of 2 to 5 million dollars, though some sources suggest figures as high as 1 million dollars on the lower end and others estimate closer to 2 million dollars.
Her financial status comes from two primary sources:
- A stable career spanning several years as a counselor for adolescents
- Long-term work in the film industry’s makeup department across multiple major Hollywood productions
Her career earnings from movies alone — including work on big-budget films like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 and World War Z — would have generated a substantial income over time. Makeup department professionals on Hollywood productions are well-compensated, particularly those with her level of experience across huge productions.
It is worth noting that her ex-husband Paul Anka holds an estimated net worth of 80 million dollars, built from his decades-long career as a famous singer and songwriter. Lisa’s own financial overview is independent of his wealth, and she appears to maintain a comfortable life on the strength of her own career achievements.
Lisa Pemberton Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Lisa Pemberton has an average height that puts her at a typical build for a woman of her background and age. Based on available reports, here are her physical details:
| Physical Detail | Information |
| Height | 5 Feet 7 Inches (approximately 167 CM) |
| Weight | Approximately 66 Kgs (66 Kilograms) |
| Eye Color | Brown Eyes |
| Ethnicity | White Ethnicity |
| Nationality | Canadian Nationality |
She carries herself with quiet elegance and has always maintained a dignified appearance in the few public moments she has been photographed. Her physical appearance rarely draws media attention, which suits her preference for staying under the radar.
Interesting Facts About Lisa Pemberton
Here are some lesser-known and interesting facts about Lisa Pemberton that many fans and curious readers might not know:
- Lisa Pemberton was born on July 15, 1953, and as of 2026, she is 72 years old — an age she carries with the same quiet grace she has always shown.
- She attended both Carleton University in Ottawa for her bachelor degree and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health for her master degree — an impressive academic background by any measure.
- Despite being married to one of the biggest names in music, Lisa never sought a celebrity lifestyle or tried to use her position as a celebrity wife for personal gain.
- She is believed to be an animal lover, though this remains one of the more personal aspects of her private life that has occasionally surfaced in online discussions.
- Her earlier career as a counselor for adolescents gave her a unique emotional intelligence that reportedly made her a compassionate personality and supportive partner.
- Lisa reportedly met Paul Anka at a friend wedding, and their relationship quietly developed over six years before they made it official in October 2016.
- She has no biological children of her own but embraced Paul Anka’s blended family with warmth and care.
- The Marriage of Reason and Squalor is among the more unusual titles listed in her film projects, adding a literary edge to her diverse portfolio.
- Her move from youth counseling to Hollywood filmmaking makes her one of the more surprising and mysterious figures in Paul Anka’s personal history.
Lisa Pemberton Biography Table (Quick Facts)
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Lisa Pemberton |
| Date of Birth | July 15, 1953 |
| Age | 72 Years Old (as of 2026) |
| Birth Place | Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Zodiac Sign | N/A |
| Parents | Ron Pemberton, Dorothy Pemberton |
| Education | Carleton University (Bachelor Degree), UC Berkeley School of Public Health (Master Degree) |
| Profession | Makeup Department / Special Effects / Counselor |
| Husband / Ex-Husband | Paul Anka |
| Children | None (biological); Step Kids from Paul Anka’s previous marriages |
| Stepchildren | Ethan Anka, Amanda Anka, Alicia Anka, Amelia Anka, Alexandra Anka, Anthea Anka |
| Net Worth | Estimated 2 to 5 Million Dollars |
| Height | 5 Feet 7 Inches / 167 CM |
| Weight | 66 Kgs |
Final Thoughts
Lisa Pemberton’s life story is one that many people stumble upon while searching for information about Paul Anka, but what they find is far more interesting than a simple celebrity spouse profile. She is a Canadian woman who built her life through genuine effort — first as a counselor helping adolescents navigate their teenage years, and then as a skilled professional in the makeup department of major Hollywood productions.
Her biography is a reminder that the people who stand beside famous names often have deeply fulfilling stories of their own. Whether it was her educational background at Carleton University and UC Berkeley School of Public Health, her contributions to the film industry, or her role within Paul Anka’s family, Lisa Pemberton has lived a life full of meaning and purpose. And in choosing to live that life privately — away from the media spotlight and public curiosity — she has perhaps earned an even deeper respect from those who take the time to learn her story.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lisa Pemberton?
Lisa Pemberton is a Canadian professional known for her work in the makeup department of several Hollywood films and for being the Paul Anka ex wife.
When did Lisa Pemberton marry Paul Anka?
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka got married in October 2016 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
Why did Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka get divorced?
Their divorce in 2020 was a private decision, though Paul Anka later revealed in interviews that he had been unhappy in the marriage.
What is Lisa Pemberton’s net worth?
Based on available reports, Lisa Pemberton’s estimated net worth ranges between 2 to 5 million dollars from her career in the film industry and earlier counseling work.
How old is Lisa Pemberton in 2026?
Lisa Pemberton was born on July 15, 1953, which makes her 72 years old as of 2026.
