Paul Anka turns 85, celebrates record‑breaking music career

Paul Anka 85th birthday Billboard record Diana single My Way

Paul Anka, born on 30 July 1941 in Ottawa, Canada to Lebanese‑Syrian parents, marked his 85th birthday on 30 July 2026. At age 15 he secured a contract for the single “Diana”, which sold millions of copies and helped launch his career after he funded a trip to New York by winning a canned‑soup contest. Anka is the only artist to place songs on the Billboard Hot 100 in seven consecutive decades, a record that spans hits from “Diana” and “Puppy Love” to later releases. He wrote the worldwide hit “My Way” for Frank Sinatra and co‑wrote Michael Jackson’s “This Is It”. His 1975 album “Feelings” also achieved global success. The milestone has been highlighted in numerous profiles that recount his enduring influence on popular music.

Entities

Anna Anka · Billboard Hot 100 · Diana (song) · Feelings (album) · Frank Sinatra · Michael Jackson · Ottawa · Paul Anka · Tom Jones

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] He began his music career at age 15 with the single “Diana”. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it
[● 7 SOURCES] He co‑wrote Michael Jackson’s 2009 hit “This Is It”. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · www.nn.de · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] He is the only artist to place songs on the Billboard Hot 100 in seven consecutive decades. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · www.nn.de · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] He wrote “My Way” for Frank Sinatra. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · www.nn.de · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Paul Anka was born on 30 July 1941 in Ottawa, Canada. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · www.nn.de · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] He released the album “Feelings” in 1975. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · www.nn.de · +2 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] His second wife Anna Anka was born in Poland and later adopted in Sweden. plejada.pl
[● 7 SOURCES] The single “Diana” sold millions of copies. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · www.nn.de · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] He won a tomato‑soup contest that funded his trip to New York. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.nn.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] At age 15 he secured a contract for the single “Diana”. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.nn.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · +2 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Paul Anka won a canned‑soup contest that funded his trip to New York. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.nn.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Paul Anka is the only artist to have Billboard Hot 100 hits in seven consecutive decades. www.news.at · www.zeit.de · www.nn.de · www.onetz.de · www.suedtirolnews.it · +1 more