Tony Bennett’s widow, Susan Benedetto, shares memories of her late husband, two days after his death at age 96.
“Benedetto, his family name, which I made my own when we got married, means ‘the blessed one,'” Susan, 56, told People Sunday. “And I was certainly blessed to have Tony in my life.”
Born Susan Crow, Benedetto tied the knot with the singer on June 21, 2007, and was his primary caregiver in his seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She shared a photo of the beloved Rags to Riches singer with the publication taken during their honeymoon in Florence, Italy.
Benedetto said the Manhattan-born entertainer “of course loved to visit his ancestral homeland, and we spent many summers in Italy over the years, and it was always a special time for us to be together, just the two of us.”
New details: Tony Bennett’s widow, Susan Benedetto, 56, talks about memories of her late husband, two days after his passing at age 96. The couple was photographed in NYC in 2019
Benedetto described the activities that the I Left My Heart In San Francisco artist enjoyed during their trips to Italy.
“Tony painted all day and then we ate pasta, which was his favorite meal,” Benedetto said. “Everyone knows Tony had heart, but he was also a great soul.”
Benedetto spoke out for the first time since she issued a joint statement with Bennett’s son Danny Bennett following the entertainer’s death, who would have turned 97 on August 3.
In the statement, they had expressed their gratitude to “all of Tony’s fans, friends and colleagues who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love for him and his musical legacy.”
They looked back on the singer’s long career and the enthusiasm he managed to maintain over the years.
“From his first gigs as a singing waiter in Queens to his final gigs in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, Tony enjoyed performing the songs he loved and making people happy,” they said. “And as sad as it may have been for all of us today, we can forever find joy in Tony’s legacy.”
Bennett and Benedetto initially crossed paths after one of the singer’s shows. They spent two decades together prior to their marriage.
Bennett was previously married twice before tying the knot with Benedetto, a one-time teacher. He was married to Patricia Beech from 1952 until their divorce in 1965, and their divorce was finalized in 1971. He married actress Sandra Grant in 1971, and they separated in 1983.
Benedetto, who was born Susan Crow, tied the knot with the singer on June 21, 2007. They were photographed in May 2019
Benedetto was the singer’s primary caregiver in his seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease
The legendary entertainer passed away on Friday at the age of 96 after a long-running health battle. Pictured in 2019
Bennett, in his 2016 book Just Getting Started, praised his wife for her uplifting influence on him.
“Susan Benedetto showed me how love gives you the confidence and courage to be your best self, and the inner peace and contentment that come with it,” he wrote.
Bennett’s representative confirmed the artist’s death in a statement to the outlet Friday.
“Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens on August 3, 1926, passed away earlier today at the age of 96 in his hometown of New York City,” the statement said.
It continued: “The beloved singer, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, is survived by his wife, Susan Benedetto, his two sons, Danny and Dae Bennett, his daughters Johanna Bennett and Antonia Bennett, and 9 grandchildren.”