Tony Bennett’s wife’s message to fans after 96-year-old singer’s death

“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. And as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony’s legacy forever.”

Susan, 56, had previously said the star was unaware how much his memory had declined. In an unearthed 2021 interview she told 60 Minutes presenter Anderson Cooper that Tony had no idea he had Alzheimer’s.

At the time however, she said he was still able to identify his own children. She said: “He recognizes me, thank goodness [and] his children – you know, we are blessed in a lot of ways. He’s very sweet. He doesn’t know he has it.”

Tony enjoyed a glittering career, winning a string of accolades including 20 Grammys and a lifetime achievement award. The definition of longevity, he released his first album in 1952 and was still managing live performances almost seven decades later.

He received his final Grammy at the age of 95 – a joint one along with co-star Lady Gaga.

In the USA, he has been recognised multiple times as the oldest living artist ever to hit the top of the Billboard 200 album chart – and by the time of his death, he had an impressive 70 albums to his name.