Tony Bennett and his wife Susan Benedetto.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty
Kevin Mazur/Getty
Tony Bennett’s wifeSusan Benedettois paying tribute to her late husband, following his death at age 96 on Friday.
“Thank you to all the fans, friends and colleagues of Tony’s who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love of him and his musical legacy,” Benedetto saidin a joint statementwith Bennett’s son Danny Bennett — shared in the caption of an Instagram post on Bennett’s account on Friday evening.
“From his first performances as a singing waiter in Queens to his last performances in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, Tony delighted in performing the songs he loved and making people happy," the statement continued, before ending on a touching note: “And as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony’s legacy forever.”
A photo of Bennett performing on his 95th birthday at Radio City Music Hall on Aug. 3, 2021, was posted alongside the moving statement.
Benedetto shared a moving tribute to late husband Bennett on Friday.Kevin Mazur/Getty
Bennett’s rep confirmed the news of his death to PEOPLE in a statement on Friday.
Bennett’s family announced in January 2021 that he had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2016 in a profile on his life forAARP The Magazine.After the diagnosis, Benedettostepped in as his primary caregiverin addition to her continued arts education charity work. Despite the diagnosis, she said her husband remained in good spirits at the time.
“He is doing so many things, at 94, that many people without dementia cannot do. He really is the symbol of hope for someone with a cognitive disorder,” she toldAARPThe Magazine.
Bennett died at age 96 on Friday.Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty
“My most heartfelt condolences go out to Tony Bennett’s family and friends,“Nile Rodgersshared in a Twitter tribute, alongside a photo of the late musician. “They’re also my emotional family and friends.”
Stevie Van Zandt also toasted Bennett online,writing on Twitter, “The last of the legends. A man whose heart was as big as his voice. The world’s foremost practitioner of the ‘Art of Excellence.’ Deepest love and condolences to my friend Danny and the family.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
ActorGeorge Takeicalled Bennett the “the last of his kind” and “a master of the American songbook.”
Civil rights leaderRev. Jesse Jacksonalso took a moment to remember Bennett for his activism over the years.
source: people.com
