In February 2021, it was revealed that legendary jazz vocalist, Tony Bennett, at the age of 95, is battling Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this challenging diagnosis, Bennett was able to treasure his final performances alongside his long-time musical companion, Lady Gaga, during their shows at Radio City Music Hall.
Susan Benedetto, Tony’s wife, opened up about how their lives have been affected by Tony’s illness. She expressed gratitude that he still recognizes her and described their children as fortunate. Susan spoke lovingly of Tony, highlighting his kind and gentle nature.
It was Susan who first noticed something was wrong with Tony. He had no idea that he had Alzheimer’s disease. As a performer, Tony has always had an incredible talent for remembering lyrics and sheet music without any difficulty. He has often said that his purpose in life is to make people happy, and he continues to do so, even in the face of this illness.
Dr. Gayatri Devi, Tony’s physician, informed him about his condition in 2017. She mentioned that while Tony understands he is Tony Bennett and can still behave like himself, the disease affects the emotional region of his brain. This region is something inherent to him and provides him with a profound sense of purpose and emotions.
Lady Gaga, who has collaborated with Tony on numerous occasions, also shared her thoughts on his condition. She expressed that witnessing the impact of Alzheimer’s on Tony has been both beautiful and difficult. However, she highlighted that his gift as a musician remains untouched and that he has put tremendous effort into showing that success is possible despite life’s challenges.
Aside from his legendary music career, Tony Bennett has also had a lifelong passion for art. Under his given name, Anthony Benedetto, he has exhibited his paintings in renowned institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 1999, he established Benedetto Arts LLC to manage this aspect of his creative career.
Alzheimer’s disease has undoubtedly taken a toll on Tony Bennett’s health. This form of dementia, often associated with aging, leads to a progressive decline in memory and difficulties in communication, comprehension, recall, and recognizing loved ones. As a result, Tony depends on continuous care and support from his family and caregivers.
Despite this challenging journey, Tony Bennett’s legacy as a beloved musician and artist will forever remain in the hearts of his fans and the world. His dedication to making people happy through his music and art is an inspiration to us all.
