Music icon Tony Bennett was reported dead a few days ago after his years-long battle with Alzheimer’s; however, the exact cause of death was not disclosed. Tony went public about his health in 2021, informing fans of his retirement from live shows based on “doctor’s orders.”
The late singer raised awareness about Alzheimer’s via his Instagram on many occasions. His last post was with his wife, Susan Crow, whom he married in 2007. Susan wore a shirt that read #ENDALZ, and the couple held up a small sign with the same hashtag relating to people dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tony and his family were actively involved in Alzheimer’s awareness
Tony Bennett fighting to the end in last picture before his death amid health struggle https://t.co/Upojtu2SwA #EndALZ
— andrew kemavor (@andrewkemavor) July 22, 2023
At the news of Tony’s death, the charity Dementia UK paid tribute to the singer for having raised awareness about Alzheimer’s since he was diagnosed. “Since revealing his diagnosis, Tony and his family have raised a huge amount of awareness for the condition, sharing the impact it has on families and also that it is possible to continue working and being creative following a diagnosis,” Dementia UK CEO and Chief Admiral Nurse Hilda Hayo said.
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One of the recent photos on Tony’s social media featured a caption reading, “June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. #GoPurple with Susan and I, and @alzassociation in honor of the more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. #ENDALZ.”
Tony’s final album was released in 2021
Tony, famous for songs like “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” continued to make music until 2021, despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s five years before. The news of his retirement came after his 2021 tour was canceled, with his son and manager Danny Bennett saying having him perform was “just too much. We don’t want him to fall on stage — something as simple as that,” Danny said at the time.
The Grammy award winner’s last studio album — Love for Sale — was also released in 2021 and features Lady Gaga, with whom he had worked with in 2014. Love For Sale was recorded between 2018 and 2020 as a follow-up to their first album together, Cheek To Cheek. Although Lady Gaga has yet to respond publicly to the news of Tony’s passing, a final special titled One Last Time: With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga aired on CBS as a tribute to the late music legend.