Legendary singer Tony Bennett dies at 96

WASHINGTON (TND) — Singer Tony Bennett has passed away just two weeks short of his birthday. He was 96.

Bennett died in his hometown of New York, his publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed to The Associated Press.

No specific cause was given but the singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016.

His family revealed the news to AARP magazine in 2021 with Bennett saying, "Life is a gift -- even with Alzheimer's."

Over his lifetime, he released more than 70 albums and received 19 Grammys.

Bennett scored his first No. 1 hit in 1951 with "Because of You" and went on to sing his 1962 signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

His "Cheek to Cheek" duet with Lady GaGa debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart in 2014.

Bennett's last public appearance was with Lady GaGa at Radio City Music Hall in August 2021 for his last release, the Bennett-Gaga set “Love for Sale."

He was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens on Aug. 3, 1926, to Italian immigrant parents.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Crow Benedetto and four children including singer Antonia Bennett.