The world lost a music icon when Tony Bennett passed away on July 21, 2022 at the age of 96. Bennett had been battling Alzheimer’s disease in his final years.
In a recent interview with Hoda Kotb on Today, Bennett’s son Danny and wife Susan Benedetto opened up about the jazz singer’s last days. They revealed that his final words to his son were “Thank you,” showing appreciation for Danny’s care and support. To Benedetto, Bennett said “I love you,” which he continued telling her every day when he woke up.
According to Benedetto, the last song that Bennett sang was “Because of You,” a 1951 cover of the 1940 tune by Larry Clinton. She said that despite the progression of Alzheimer’s, “the music never left him.” Singing seemed to transcend his memory loss, allowing the “old Tony” to shine through.
Bennett’s musical gifts stayed with him through his final performances in 2021 alongside Lady Gaga for their collaborative albums Cheek to Cheek and Love for Sale. Though Bennett could no longer speak fluently, he could still sing with emotion and mastery.
Tony Bennett leaves behind an unmatched musical legacy, with hits like “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” that will be treasured for generations. It’s touching to know that music remained a source of joy and connection for Bennett, even as he lost so much of his memory. His final words and song paint a beautiful picture of a man whose spirit endured through his artistry up until the very end. Bennett gave the world the gift of his music, and those closest to him experienced his heartfelt gratitude, love and passion for singing right up until the very last song.
