Lisa Pemberton is best known as the third wife of legendary singer Paul Anka, the Canadian songwriter behind hits like “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” and “My Way.”
While their marriage brought her into the public eye, Lisa’s own story stretches far beyond celebrity headlines. She built a quiet but accomplished career as a counselor and later as a Hollywood makeup artist, working behind the scenes on several major film productions.
This article covers everything currently known about Lisa Pemberton, including her early life, education, career, marriage to Paul Anka, and her life today.
Who Is Lisa Pemberton?
Lisa Pemberton is a Canadian makeup artist and former adolescent counselor who gained public recognition after marrying Paul Anka in 2016. She worked in the film industry on well known Hollywood productions before and during her marriage.
Despite the attention that came with being married to a famous musician, Lisa has always preferred a private, low key lifestyle rather than public fame.
Lisa Pemberton’s Early Life and Childhood
Lisa Pemberton was born on July 15, 1953, in Ontario, Canada. She was raised in Ottawa in a stable, close knit family environment, away from any form of public attention. Her upbringing was described as calm and grounded, shaped by traditional family values rather than celebrity influence.
Very little detail exists publicly about her specific childhood milestones, largely because Lisa never spoke about her early years in interviews or media appearances. This pattern of privacy would continue throughout her entire life, even after she became connected to a globally recognized musician.
Lisa Pemberton’s Age, Birthday, and Family Background
As of 2026, Lisa Pemberton is 72 years old. Her parents were Ron Pemberton and Dorothy Pemberton, who raised her in Ottawa. Not much is publicly known about her parents’ professions, but reports consistently describe her household as supportive and nurturing.
Here is a quick summary of her personal details:
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Lisa Pemberton |
| Date of Birth | July 15, 1953 |
| Birthplace | Ontario, Canada |
| Age (2026) | 72 years |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Parents | Ron Pemberton, Dorothy Pemberton |
| Profession | Makeup Artist, Former Counselor |
| Known For | Paul Anka’s third wife |
| Marriage Year | 2016 |
| Divorce Year | 2020 |
| Estimated Net Worth | $2 million to $5 million |
Lisa Pemberton’s Education and Academic Journey
Lisa placed a strong emphasis on education early in her life. She attended Carleton University in Ottawa, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and human relations. This field of study focuses on understanding human behavior and emotional wellbeing, which aligned with her early career path.
She later pursued further studies at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health in the United States, where she completed a master’s degree. Her academic background reflects a genuine interest in helping people, long before her name became linked to Hollywood or celebrity culture.
Lisa Pemberton’s Early Career as a Counselor
Before entering the entertainment industry, Lisa worked as an adolescent counselor, reportedly continuing in this role until the late 1970s. In this position, she supported teenagers through emotional and behavioral challenges, drawing directly on her psychology education.
This counseling background is rarely discussed in mainstream coverage of her life, but it forms an important part of her professional identity. It shows a woman who built a meaningful career centered on helping others, separate from any connection to fame or celebrity relationships.
Lisa Pemberton’s Career in the Film Industry
At some point after her counseling career, Lisa transitioned into the film production industry, specifically working in the makeup department. This shift took her from a helping profession into the world of entertainment, where she built a solid, behind the scenes career over the following years.
Her work in film demonstrates technical skill and creativity, contributing to the visual identity of several notable Hollywood productions without ever seeking the spotlight herself.
Movies and Projects Lisa Pemberton Worked On
Lisa Pemberton contributed to the makeup departments of multiple recognizable film projects. Reports link her to productions including:
- World War Z
- Kingsman: The Secret Service
- Into the Woods
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
These credits reflect a career built on skill within a competitive industry, working alongside major production teams on big budget films.
How Lisa Pemberton Met Paul Anka
Lisa met Paul Anka around 2010 at a mutual friend’s wedding. Their connection developed gradually rather than through the public celebrity dating scene.
The couple reportedly dated for about six years before deciding to get married, a lengthy courtship that allowed their relationship to grow privately, away from media scrutiny.
Given Anka’s decades long fame as a singer and songwriter, their ability to keep the relationship low key for so long says a lot about Lisa’s preference for privacy.
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka’s Wedding
Paul Anka and Lisa Pemberton married on October 22, 2016, in a ceremony held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. The wedding reportedly drew notable guests, reflecting Anka’s status in the entertainment world. With this marriage, Lisa became Anka’s third wife.
Despite the high profile setting, Lisa continued to maintain a private personal life, avoiding extensive media coverage even as a newly married celebrity spouse.
Lisa Pemberton’s Role in Paul Anka’s Family
Although Lisa and Paul Anka did not have children together, she took on a meaningful role within his existing family. She reportedly helped raise Anka’s youngest son, Ethan Anka, during their marriage. This involvement highlights her role not just as a spouse, but as a supportive presence in her husband’s family life.
Why Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka Divorced
Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka divorced in 2020, ending a marriage that lasted about four years. Anka later spoke briefly about the split, describing personal unhappiness in the relationship and reflecting on wanting a change as he grew older.
Neither Lisa nor Paul provided extensive public detail about the specific reasons behind the separation, staying consistent with their overall preference for privacy throughout the relationship.
Lisa Pemberton’s Life After the Divorce
Following the 2020 divorce, Lisa Pemberton withdrew further from public life. She has not given interviews about the marriage or its ending, and there is little public information available about her current activities.
This continued privacy is consistent with the pattern she maintained throughout her adult life, both before and during her marriage to Anka.
Lisa Pemberton’s Net Worth and Career Legacy
Lisa Pemberton’s estimated net worth ranges between $2 million and $5 million, built primarily through her work in the film industry and her earlier counseling career.
Her career legacy is defined less by celebrity status and more by consistent, skilled work across two very different professional fields, counseling and film production.
Paul Anka’s Third Wife Helped Raise His Only Son
Beyond her professional accomplishments, one of the more personal aspects of Lisa’s story is her involvement in raising Ethan, Paul Anka’s youngest son.
While she never sought public recognition for this role, it represents an important part of her time with the family and reflects a caring, hands on approach to her marriage.
Social Media and Public Presence
Lisa Pemberton maintains a minimal to nonexistent public social media presence. Unlike many individuals connected to celebrities, she has not used her connection to Paul Anka to build a personal brand or online following. This absence of visibility is intentional and fits her long standing preference for privacy over publicity.
Philanthropy and Community Engagement
There is limited publicly documented information regarding specific philanthropic work by Lisa Pemberton.
However, her original career path as an adolescent counselor suggests a personal history rooted in community support and helping others, even if this was never framed publicly as formal philanthropy.
Frequently Asked Question
Who Is Lisa Pemberton?
Lisa Pemberton is a Canadian makeup artist and former adolescent counselor, best known as the third wife of singer Paul Anka.
Who Did Paul Anka Marry as His Third Wife?
Paul Anka married Lisa Pemberton in October 2016, making her his third wife.
What Does Lisa Pemberton Do for a Living?
She has worked as a Hollywood makeup artist on films like World War Z and Kingsman: The Secret Service, after starting her career as a counselor.
Why Did Lisa Pemberton and Paul Anka Get Divorced?
The couple divorced in 2020 after four years of marriage, with Anka citing personal unhappiness, though full details were never made public.
Where Was Lisa Pemberton Born and How Old Is She?
She was born on July 15, 1953, in Ontario, Canada, making her 72 years old as of 2026.
Conclusion
Lisa Pemberton’s story is far richer than her brief marriage to Paul Anka suggests. From her academic foundation in psychology to her career as an adolescent counselor, and later as a skilled Hollywood makeup artist, she built a life defined by quiet accomplishment rather than celebrity attention.
Even after her divorce, she has continued to live privately, on her own terms. Her journey stands as a reminder that behind every public relationship is often a much deeper, independent personal story.
