Tony Bennett is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, members of his family revealed in a new interview with AARP The Magazine.
The iconic singer, who is 94, was officially diagnosed with the progressive illness back in 2016.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of age-related dementia. More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, which causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. In the United States, it’s the sixth leading cause of death.
Related: Staying Mentally Well in a Time of Isolation
Tony Bennett’s duet album with Lady Gaga, “Cheek to Cheek,” topped most music charts when it came out in 2014. Bennett and Gaga then toured together in 2015.
A follow-up to “Cheek to Cheek”—recorded over the last few years—is due out this spring, as AARP noted in its article about Bennett.
Tony Bennett's family says he has Alzheimer's: 'But when he sings, he's the old Tony' https://t.co/KCC19EmuRC
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 2, 2021
As the AARP article also shared, “Alzheimer’s is characterized by a progressive memory loss that robs its sufferers of many of the gifts that we all take for granted—speech, understanding, treasured memories, recognition of loved ones—and leaves them utterly dependent on caregivers. Bennett, first diagnosed in 2016, has so far been spared the disorientation that can prompt patients to wander from home, as well as the episodes of terror, rage or depression that can accompany Alzheimer’s frightening detachment from reality; and, indeed, he might never develop these symptoms.”
The article went on poignantly, “But there was little doubt that the disease had progressed. Even his increasingly rare moments of clarity and awareness reveal the depths of his debility. At one point, as [Bennett’s wife] Susan and I stood chatting,” wrote the author of the piece, who visited Bennett at his home in New York City, “he looked up suddenly from the book in his lap and, flashing that familiar smile, asked me in his soft, sueded whisper, ‘How’s the weather outside?’ Had I not known that he and Susan had just returned from walking their dog in the park, I might not have suspected that anything was amiss.”
As Bennett’s own website points out, the singer has performed for 11 U.S. presidents over the course of his career. He is a World War II veteran “who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and participated in the liberation of a concentration camp” (Bennett served in the 63rd Infantry Division in Europe).
Related: Time to Send Our Troops Home
Bennett also “marched side-by-side with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma to support civil rights” in this country.
“His love for his country has earned him the distinction of national treasure, and the United Nations has named him a Citizen of the World as one of their most foremost ambassadors,” the website also notes.
“Through his music, Tony Bennett has connected in unprecedented fashions with all generations of audiences.”
See these tweets containing more details about, and reactions to, the news of Bennett’s heartbreaking diagnosis.
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett have made a new album together, recorded through Tony's battle with Alzheimer's. This passage broke my heart. https://t.co/zynDHLH743 pic.twitter.com/P7eo5BUtss
— Joey Nolfi (@joeynolfi) February 1, 2021
“He's not the old Tony anymore,” says his wife Susan. “But when he sings, he's the old Tony.” https://t.co/eH17l21C0p
— ABC News (@ABC) February 2, 2021
Tony Bennett's son, Danny, spoke with Gaga prior to AARP's article debut:
— Gaga Media 〄 (@GagaMediaDotNet) February 1, 2021
"I wanted to check with her to make sure she was cool, because she watches his back all the time. She was like, 'Absolutely, it's just another gift that he can give to the world.'" pic.twitter.com/5S3RgkBjmT
Today, music icon Tony Bennett bravely revealed that he is living with Alzheimer’s. On behalf of Tony and all who are facing Alzheimer’s disease, we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. #ENDALZ pic.twitter.com/Xsb2Yzp3RI
— Alzheimer's Association – SC Chapter (@AlzSC) February 1, 2021
One of my favorite nights was when my musican dad got to meet Tony Bennett after a performance. Thinking of that right now after hearing the news that Tony's family revealed the singer has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. pic.twitter.com/OH9N3BwWip
— Jeff Selingo (@jselingo) February 1, 2021
Share your thoughts on this story and other news stories on Christian News Journal’s Facebook page here.
For more news and stories of the day from Christian News Journal, click here.
–By CNJ Staff