Tony Bennett is a legendary vocalist who has achieved one of the most impressive Hollywood runs with over 10 Grammys and many top-charting albums. The 96-year-old began his career in the 1950s and he has remained relevant through the years, being a part of the music scene for over five decades.
Tony Bennett is also a loving dad to his four children. His journey into fatherhood started when he married Patricia Beech in 1952, the couple welcoming their first child Danny in 1954 and Dae in 1955. The marriage ended in divorce in 1971.
Tony Bennett’s family and musical career
The singer eventually began a relationship with actress Sandra Grant. The pair dated for several years before finally tying the knot on December 29, 1971. They had two children together, Joanna, born in 1970, and Antonia, whom they welcomed in 1974. Their union lasted until 1983 when they separated. In 2007, he married Susan Crow.
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Bennett began his singing career at a very early age and decided to develop it by attending the High School of Industrial Arts in Manhattan. He was drafted into the Army during the Second World War, where he performed with military bands.
He proceeded to the American Theatre Wing School, where he had vocal studies. Bennett got his big break in 1949 after comedian Bob Hope recognized his skills while working with Pearl Bailey in Greenwich Village in New York City. The singer revealed that Hope gave him his first gig and stage name (he had been born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926).
“Bob Hope came down to check out my act. He liked my singing so much that after the show he came back to see me in my dressing room and said, ‘Come on kid, you’re going to come to the Paramount and sing with me,’” Bennett explained. “Bob asked me what my real name was. I told him, ‘My name is Anthony Dominick Benedetto,’ and he said, ‘We’ll call you Tony Bennett.’ And that’s how it happened. A new Americanized name — the start of a wonderful career and a glorious adventure that has continued for 70 years.”
Tony Bennett’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease
The Grammy Award winner was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, but his physicians encouraged him to keep doing music to prevent its progression. However, on February 1st, 2021, Bennett’s family, represented by Danny Bennett, who serves as his father’s manager, decided to go public with his diagnosis in a candid profile for AARP.
“He never ceases to inspire me with his passion and dedication to all that life has to offer. The last four years has been no exception. He continues to sing and stay fit on a daily basis. I speak for the whole family in thanking his wonderful wife, Susan, for all the support and love she has given to him,” he said. “Our wish is that by openly sharing his challenges with Alzheimer’s that we will give hope to all that face this condition and will help end the stigma surrounding this disease. Above all else, we want to be able to help raise awareness, advocate for advancing new therapies, and one day soon, finding a cure.”
Meet Tony Bennett’s four children:
Danny Bennett
Danny is the oldest and first child of the musical legend. He also pursued a career in the entertainment industry like his dad, but enjoys being behind the camera rather than on the main stage. The 68-year-old is a talented producer and has worked on more than 50 projects, including the 1997 movie My Best Friend’s Wedding, Live By Request: K.D. Lang, and two documentary videos centered on his dad, Tony Bennett: An American Classic, which won him the Outstanding Variety Music or Comedy Special Award at the 2007 Emmys, and Tony Bennett: Duets II.
He has served as his father’s manager for over 40 years. Danny has a son, whom he shares with girlfriend Hadley Spanier.
Dae Bennett
Dae is a music producer, mixer, and sound engineer and he launched his Bennett Studios in 2001 where he made good music for a decade before closing down in 2011.
In the 10 years of the studios’ existence, the music recorded and mixed there were the recipients of 20 Grammy Awards, 3 Emmy nominations, and 1 Emmy win. Dae himself has seven Grammys and an Emmy to his credit.
Joanna Bennett
Joanna has been in the spotlight since she was a kid, always standing by her father’s side. She is maintaining her love for fame by working as an actress and has been featured in hit movies and TV shows like The Librarians, Powers, and Murderbot.
The 52-year-old is in a relationship with her boyfriend Kim Fardy and does not fail to showcase their sweet love on social media from time to time. In September 2021, Joanna took to her social media to share romantic pictures in celebration of their third anniversary.
Antonia Bennett
at the Clive Davis And The Recording Academy’s 2012 Pre-GRAMMY Gala, Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA 02-11-12
Antonia is the youngest of Bennett’s children, born in 1974, and is the only one who takes after her father’s passion for music. She started her music career at the young age of 4, joining her father in his stage performances.
To pursue her interest in music, the 48- year-old bagged a degree from the Berklee College of Music. Antonia is also an actress and has been featured in movies like Changeling, Always Here For You, and Dysfunctional Book Club. She has been happily married to husband Ronen Helmann for more than seven years, but they do not have any children as of yet.