Paul Di’Anno

Di'Anno was born on 17 May 1958 in Chingford, Essex, where he also grew up. Because of his Brazilian father, Di'Anno held dual British and Brazilian citizenship. He spent his teenage years singing in various rock and heavy metal bands and working as a butcher in Station Road and as a chef in hotels and restaurants.

Di'Anno married five times and had six children. Di'Anno's religious affiliation was made uncertain by his own words; he gave interviews that contradicted each other on this subject, perhaps as a practical joke. He had a tattoo on the back of his head that said "666" and "GOD = SUCKER". According to his autobiography, he converted to Islam in the 1990s after reading the Quran. However, he later reversed that position, saying "I think religion kills everybody. I don't believe in it. ... No, my father was a Muslim, I must admit. But I don't give a fuck." In later interviews, Di'Anno clarified that he never was a true Muslim, that he never stopped drinking, but tried to become a better person by applying some of the Muslim philosophies to his life. His autobiography furthers the confusion: in various passages he claimed to be Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, and Aboriginal. In February 2011, Di'Anno was convicted on eight counts of benefit fraud for claiming more than £45,000 under false pretences. On 11 March 2011, he was jailed for nine months at Salisbury Crown Court. He only served two of the nine months to which he was sentenced, being released early for good behaviour.

A crowdfunder was launched in January 2021 to help raise money for the singer's knee surgery, following several years of poor health. In September 2021, it was reported that Di'Anno was still waiting for the surgery, and a photo surfaced of the singer showing his badly swollen leg. In October 2021, the crowdfunding had reached its target to which Di'Anno heartily thanked everyone for their support. In November 2021, Di'Anno relocated to Croatia to undergo treatment and surgery for his knee. Following the successful surgery, Di'Anno confirmed reports that Iron Maiden helped pay for the final part of his treatment in Croatia. Di'Anno died at his Salisbury home, on 21 October 2024, at the age of 66. Record label Conquest Music confirmed his death the same day, and stated that Di'Anno died after "being troubled by severe health issues in recent years that restricted him to performing in a wheelchair". His sisters Cheryl and Michelle confirmed he died of an aortic dissection, stating: 'Basically he had a tear in the sac around the heart and blood has filled inside it from the main aorta artery and that has caused the heart to stop.' He was buried at the Manor Park Cemetery and Crematorium.