Only Puppy Love: Paul Anka Was Annette Funicello's First Love At 17, But He Dashed All Her Hopes For Marriage
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Only Puppy Love: Paul Anka Was Annette Funicello's First Love At 17, But He Dashed All Her Hopes For Marriage
Before her demise in April 2013, Annette Funicello had a beautiful voice that made the world stop. She was famous for being the most popular Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club.
Later on, she branched into acting and made a name for her in the ‘Beach Party’ franchise. During her lifetime, Annette was married twice and had three children.
Unfortunately, Annette passed away on April 8, 2013, at the age of 70 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.
Annette’s first love
Annette’s 70 years on earth was not one void of love, but one particular man that caught her heart was the legendary, Paul Anka.
Annette wasn’t allowed to date until she was 16, but when the embargo was lifted, she found love in the arms of famous songwriter. He was her first serious boyfriend.
Their love was so intense that it was reported that Paul’s hit song, ‘Puppy Love’ was inspired by Annette. In her autobiography, she explained:
"As Paul wrote in his hit song about us, just because we were 17 didn’t mean that, for us, our love wasn’t real."
Unfortunately, their love wasn’t real enough to lead to marriage. While speaking to Inside Edition, Frankie Avalon, Annette’s dear friend, revealed that Anka never saw their relationship leading to marriage.
Although Annette wanted to settle down, he didn’t feel the same way.
"They were always telling us it was puppy love and it wasn’t going to go anywhere and you that can’t be thinking marriage? I felt I was too young. I was very committed to my career."
Paul Anka’s life
Although Paul didn’t find forever after in Annette, he went on to find love in the arms of other women. The ‘Captain Ron’ actor tied the knot with Anne de Zogheb in February 1963, but they ended things in 2001.
In 2008, he married his trainer, Anna Aberg, but they didn’t last the long haul as they divorced in 2010.
Nevertheless, two failed marriages didn’t dampen the star’s search for love as he married Lisa Pemberton in 2016 at the age of 75.
From his previous marriages, Paul has six children in total.
Sometimes, not all real relationships end in marriage, as seen in Paul and Annette’s case. Nevertheless, it never hurts to experience love!