Tony Bennett’s Wife Reveals That Her Husband Is Unaware That He Is Suffering From Alzheimer’s
In February 2021, Susan Benedetto and the other members of Tony Bennett’s family revealed that the 95-year-old is living with Alzheimer’s. Tony was able to fully enjoy his final performances during his back-to-back shows at Radio City Music Hall with his musical partner in recent years, Lady Gaga.
In an interview with Anderson Cooper, Susan talked openly about how the disease has impacted her husband. She said, “He recognizes me, thank goodness, his children, you know we are blessed in a lot of ways. He’s very sweet.”
She also shared the process of getting Tony diagnosed. According to Susan, Tony was not aware of his condition. She said, “He doesn’t know he has it.”
Through the years, Tony has proven how sharp he is when it comes to music. He can easily perform many of his hits without a lyric sheet or sheet music in front of him. She said, “Tony likes to say he’s in the business of making people feel good, and he still is.”
It was in 2017 when Dr. Gayatri Devi diagnosed Tony Bennett with Alzheimer’s. The doctor explained that Tony “knows he’s Tony Bennett and he knows how to behave like Tony Bennett.
That’s an area of the brain that’s just so an innately hardwired part of his brain. And it’s also an area of his brain that gives them real meaning and purpose in his life, and it’s imbued with emotion.”
Dr. Devi further added, “I mean that’s the other thing about music that sets it apart, is that it is a part of the brain that’s very emotional. Music is housed in different parts of the brain, including parts of the brain that deal with emotion, and therefore, it’s easy to be moved by it when you hear it.”
Tony has worked with many artists in the past. But one that he frequently collaborates with is Lady Gaga. She has developed a close friendship and working relationship with Tony Bennett.
After hearing the news, Lady Gaga reflected on what his final performance meant to her. She said, “It’s not a sad story. It’s emotional. It’s hard to watch somebody change.”
She continued, “I think what’s been beautiful about this, and what’s been challenging, is to see how it affects him in some ways but to see how it doesn’t affect his talent. I think he really pushed through something to give the world the gift of knowing that things can change and you can still be magnificent.”
Tony Bennett is an American jazz vocalist. He is best known for performing standards and his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
Along with his music, Bennett has also nurtured a lifelong love of visual art. His paintings, which he signs with his given name of ‘Anthony Benedetto,’ have been featured in the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And in 1999, he founded Benedetto Arts LLC to oversee this aspect of his artistic career.
Tony Bennett has Alzheimer’s disease. This is the most common form of age-related dementia. Alzheimer’s is characterized by a progressive memory loss that robs the person of their speech, understanding, treasured memories, recognition of loved ones. This is why this condition leaves them utterly dependent on caregivers.
