Tony Bennett's wife Susan issues emotional statement following death of singer
Tony Bennett's wife Susan Benedetto and his son Danny Bennett have issued a joint statement following the news this week that the award-winning singer died recently.
It was announced that Tony - best known for songs like I Left My Heart in San Francisco - had passed away yesterday, aged 96, with the cause of death yet to be disclosed.
The news prompted an outpouring of tributes to the late singer - whose name was Anthony Benedetto - celebrating his career which included numerous Grammy Award wins.
His widow Susan, whom he married in 2007, and his son Danny, from his first marriage to Patricia Beech, have issued a joint statement through Tony's Instagram account.
The statement read: "Thank you to all the fans, friends and colleagues of Tony's who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love of him and his musical legacy."
Legendary singer Tony Bennett dies as tributes pour in to last of great croonersSusan and Danny further commented: "From his first performances as a singing waiter in Queens to his last performances at Radio City Music Hall, Tony delighted in performing the songs he loved and making people happy."
The statement on the platform - which was signed by Tony's wife and son - concluded: "And as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony's legacy forever."
It was among the posts shared on his account yesterday, with an unsigned statement shared previously on the page having announced Tony's death to his fans.
"Tony left us today but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, Because of You, his first #1 hit. Tony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever," the previous statement read.
Tony launched his career in the music industry decades ago, with his debut single released in 1951. He released a number of albums over the course of his career since then.
He retired in 2021, shortly after it was announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease years earlier. His last studio album was released later that year.
Love for Sale - said to have been recorded between 2018 and 2020 - reunited him and Lady Gaga. It was a follow up to their album Cheek to Cheek, which was released in 2014.
Tony's best known songs include the chart-topping Because of You, which was released in 1951. His signature song was I Left My Heart in San Francisco, which was released in 1962.