Annakim Violette Petty is the younger daughter of iconic American rock musician Tom Petty. Born to Tom and his first wife Jane Benyo, Annakim has forged her own unique path as an artist while helping preserve her famous father’s legacy. Let’s take a closer look at her life and family.
Who Is Annakim Violette Petty?
Annakim Violette Petty was born on November 28, 1982 to Tom Petty and Jane Benyo. She grew up in Los Angeles surrounded by music, as her father was at the height of his career with his band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
From a young age, Annakim developed an eye for fashion and a love of vintage clothing. Her unique, unconventional sense of style earned her the self-proclaimed title of “love terrorist.” Annakim channeled her creativity into art, carving out her own identity separate from her rock star dad.
Early Life and Birth
As the daughter of a world-famous musician, Annakim had an untraditional childhood. Her parents’ marriage was often tumultuous, fueled by drug use and the pressures of fame. Tom and Jane divorced in 1996 when Annakim was a teenager.Despite the challenges, Annakim remained close with both parents. She has many warm memories of time spent with her dad, whether joining him on tour or simply hanging out together at home in LA. Tom’s love for his daughters was always evident.
Parents: Tom Petty and Jane Benyo
Tom Petty married his first wife Jane Benyo in 1974, at the start of his rise to stardom. Over their 22 years together, Tom and Jane welcomed two daughters – Annakim and her older sister Adria. The couple met before Tom found success. Jane worked in a record store and caught Tom’s eye. As Tom’s career skyrocketed with hit albums and constant touring, their relationship became strained. Struggles with addiction further complicated their marriage.
After their 1996 divorce, Tom and Jane maintained an amicable co-parenting relationship for the sake of their girls. “I always made it very clear to them that I loved their mother and that I loved them and that we were a family,” Tom once said. “We just had a dysfunctional family.”
Career and Professional Life
While Annakim Violette Petty hasn’t pursued the music business like her father, she’s an artist in her own right. Her main creative outlet is her unique fashion sense and love of vintage clothing. Annakim has also used social media, particularly Instagram, as a way to express herself. She frequently posts photos showcasing her eclectic outfits. Her Instagram also became a place for her to share memories and process her grief after her father’s passing.
In recent years, Annakim has become more involved in preserving and promoting Tom Petty’s legacy. This has included assisting with posthumous music releases and music video projects using archival footage of her dad.
Sibling: Adria Petty
Annakim Violette Petty has one older sister, Adria Petty. Born in 1974, Adria has pursued a career in the entertainment industry like their father. However, she works behind the scenes as a director, editor, and art director.Some of Adria’s notable projects include directing music videos for Beyoncé, Coldplay, Regina Spektor, and of course, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. She also directed the 2007 documentary “Runnin’ Down a Dream” about her dad’s band.
Like Annakim, Adria has been dedicated to protecting their father’s body of work since his death. The sisters are the rightful heirs to his estate and have worked to have a say in how his music is released and used.
Tom Petty and Jane Benyo’s Music Careers
Tom Petty is considered one of the greatest American songwriters and rock musicians of all time. With his band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, he recorded numerous hit songs like “Free Fallin’,” “American Girl,” “Refugee” and “I Won’t Back Down.” Tom’s first wife Jane Benyo was working in the music industry when they met, at a record store in Gainesville, Florida. She was supportive of Tom’s music career from the start. Jane even sang backing vocals on Tom’s first album with the Heartbreakers.
While Jane didn’t pursue her own music career, she was a constant presence at Tom’s concerts and recording sessions in the early years. Many photos from that era show Jane by Tom’s side. Their daughters Adria and Annakim sometimes joined them on tour too.
Influence of Tom Petty on Annakim’s Life
As the daughter of a music legend, Tom Petty unsurprisingly had a huge impact on Annakim Violette Petty’s life. Annakim has many cherished memories with her dad that showcase his loving, family-oriented side not always seen by the public.
Childhood photos show Annakim and Adria hanging out backstage at their dad’s concerts or joining him at the recording studio. Tom made every effort to integrate his family into his music career. The girls grew up watching their father pursue his passion.
Annakim has said that her father imparted important life lessons to her, like the value of hard work, kindness, and being true to yourself. She aims to embody those traits in her own unconventional way, just like her dad always did.
Annakim Violette Petty’s Interests and Hobbies
Outside of her love for vintage fashion, not much is publicly known about Annakim Violette Petty’s personal interests and hobbies. She keeps a relatively low profile and seems to prefer expressing herself through her unique clothing choices. Annakim’s Instagram showcases her love for her pets, including her dog Bowie. She’s an animal lover and advocates for pet adoption.
She’s also interested in astrology and spirituality based on some of her social media posts. Annakim has shared updates about moon cycles and tarot cards.Mostly, it seems Annakim’s main focus in recent years has been honoring her late father. She frequently posts throwback photos and heartfelt captions remembering their times together. Preserving Tom Petty’s memory appears to be her driving force.
The Petty Family Legacy and Impact on Annakim
Annakim Violette Petty’s life has undoubtedly been shaped by her family’s music legacy, especially her iconic father Tom Petty. Growing up with a rock star dad came with unique challenges, like her parents’ divorce and her father’s struggles with addiction.However, it’s clear that Annakim has always adored her father and felt his deep love for her in return. She remembers him as an attentive, present dad despite his busy career. Childhood photos show the sweet bond they shared.
Since Tom’s tragic passing in 2017, Annakim has been committed to upholding his legacy. She and her sister Adria have taken an active role in managing his estate and making decisions about his unreleased music. It hasn’t been an easy road, as they’ve faced legal battles against their stepmother.
For Annakim, protecting her father’s life’s work is part of her grieving process. She aims to keep his memory and music alive, while also forging her own identity. Navigating life as Tom Petty’s daughter seems to be a balancing act Annakim handles with grace.
Her Current Life
Today, Annakim Violette Petty appears to split her time between Los Angeles and Tom Petty’s lakeside estate in Florida where she spent time growing up. She continues to be an ambassador for her father’s musical legacy. Annakim’s main outlet seems to be her Instagram, where she shares peeks into her daily life and fashion choices with her 130,000 followers. She’s amassed a devoted fan base who appreciate her bold, unapologetic style and moving tributes to her dad.
Based on social media posts, Annakim maintains a close relationship with her sister Adria as they navigate life after their father’s passing. The Petty sisters have relied on each other for support during challenging times, like their legal issues with Tom’s second wife.
Ultimately, Annakim is forging her own path as the daughter of a rock icon. She’s fiercely independent and not afraid to be her authentic self, a trait she likely inherited from her famous father. As she continues to honor Tom Petty’s life and legacy, fans are eager to see what the future holds for this multi-faceted artist.
Conclusion
Annakim Violette Petty has lived a fascinating life in the shadow of her father Tom Petty’s massive fame. From a childhood immersed in rock music to finding her own voice as an artist and fashion lover, Annakim has handled the pressures of being the daughter of a music legend with grace. By vulnerably sharing her grief journey and memories of her dad on social media, Annakim has given fans insight into Tom Petty as a father and family man. Her efforts to keep his legacy alive are a touching tribute to their unbreakable bond.
As Annakim continues to express her creativity through fashion and honor her father’s memory, she’s proving to be a multi-faceted artist in her own right. She may not have pursued music like her dad, but she’s certainly inherited his trailblazing spirit. Fans look forward to seeing what the future holds for this inspiring daughter of rock royalty.
