Tony Bennett reveals he is suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease following 2016 diagnosis
Legendary jazz singer Tony Bennett has revealed that he has been living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Bennett, who is 94, made the announcement in AARP Magazine, revealing he had been living with the neuro-generative disease for four years.
In a social media post directing fans to the article, Bennett said: "Life is a gift - even with Alzheimer's. Thank you to Susan and my family for their support, and @AARP The Magazine for telling my story."
Despite living with the condition, Bennett revealed he has been working with Lady Gaga on a follow-up to their 2014 Top 10 album Cheek To Cheek, a collection of jazz standards recorded by the pair.
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The record, currently untitled, is due to be released this spring, following what the magazine describes as "widely spaced sessions" in the studio "between 2018 and early 2020”.
AARP‘s John Colapinto also reports that he has seen “raw documentary footage” which reveals the emotional toll of Bennett’s condition on Lady Gaga while the pair recorded their latest album.
Bennett lives at home with his wife Susan in their New York apartment, but the disease is said to be slowly progressing - though singing helps to subdue the symptoms of Alzheimer's.
The singer's neurologist Gayatra Devi, told AARP that, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Bennett's touring schedule "kept him on his toes and also stimulated his brain in a significant way".
"Singing is everything to him. Everything," added his wife. "It has saved his life many times."
Bennett has been a popular recording artist since 1951, and scored his first and currently only UK Number 1 single in 1955 with Stranger In Paradise. Other well-know hits by the crooner include Close Your Eyes, The Good Life, and Amy Winehouse collaboration Body And Soul, a Top 40 hit in 2011. View Tony Bennett's Official UK Chart history in full.
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Courtney Puzzo
sad to hear that Mr. Bennett has Alzheimer's disease though at his age its to be expected he turns 95 August 3rd several other great stars of that era are or would be in their 90s now for example Joanne Woodward turns 91 on February 27th or Eva Marie Saint turns 97 July 4th or Anne Douglas will be 102 on April 23rd