Renowned singer and songwriter Tony Bennett has passed away at the age of 96.
Tony’s publicist, Sylvia Weiner, shared the news on Friday. No cause of death was given.
Tony had been living with Alzheimer’s disease since 2016, but according to the New York Times, he continued to perform until his retirement in 2021. After he turned 90, he told the outlet, “I could have retired 16 years ago, but I love what I’m doing.”
Once dubbed the “best singer” in the business by Frank Sinatra, Tony released several all-time hits throughout his life, including “Because of You,” “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” and “New York State of Mind” with Billy Joel. He was a 19-time Grammy Award winner and has over 70 albums to his credit.
His last show was a series of public appearances with Lady Gaga in August 2021.
Tony is survived by his wife, Susan Crowe, and four children: Danny, Daigle, Joanna, and Antonia. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.