Tony Bennett ‘Met’ His Wife Susan When Her Mother Was Still Pregnant with Her

• Music maestro Tony Bennett passed away aged 96, shortly before celebrating his 97th birthday.
• The New York crooner crossed paths with his third wife, Susan Crow Benedetto, when she was in her mother's womb.
• The couple tied the knot after more than 20 years together, and Susan stood by Tony until his last breath.

The legendary Tony Bennett, the magical voice behind the iconic tracks, including "Rags to Riches, "New York State of Mind," "Body and Soul," and "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," among many others, passed away on July 21, 2023, aged 96, in his hometown.

The mega music star died merely two weeks before celebrating his 97th birthday, leaving his family and fans forever crippled by his loss.

Despite being close to 100, the crooner continued to record, sing, and embark on tours. Tony, who began his professional career more than 75 years ago, appeared to be unstoppable in his endeavors, garnering praise and appreciation from his loyal fan base worldwide.

The star married his third wife, Susan Crow Benedetto, 40 years his junior, in 2007. The pair actually dated for 20 years before they walked down the aisle in holy matrimony.

Tony's Background

Tony, named Anthony Dominick Benedetto at birth, believed he began singing when he was still in the cradle. Besides music, the star also served his country by fighting in World War II.

He formed part of the occupying force in Germany, where he was assigned to the 314th Army Special Services Band. When he finally returned home, he wavered between his love for music and his passion for painting.

Ultimately, the latter won, and he studied bel canto on the G.I. bill. He then launched his singing career, which proved to be successful and spanned over seven long decades.

Inside Tony's First & Second Marriages

With his good looks and even better voice, Tony never struggled when it came to the love department. While early in his career, he married his first wife, Patricia Beech, with whom he stayed for 19 years.

Together they had two sons – Dae and Danny Bennett, both in their 60s. The singer and Patricia ended up divorcing in 1971, and it didn't take long for the crooner to move on to his next wife.

He tied the knot with actress Sandra Grant, and together they welcomed daughters Joanna and Antonia Bennett. Sadly, this marriage wasn't meant to last either, as they separated in the mid-80s.

The pair failed to reconcile after their separation, and their divorce went through in 2007. Despite the end of two of his marriages, Tony still believed in love and found it again with his last wife.

Third Time's a Charm

Tony met Susan when she was only 19. At the time, she was attending one of his concerts in San Francisco and was a big fan of the famous and much older musician.

Susan sent Tony a note backstage asking to meet him. When the jazz musician received the note, he was intrigued that someone so young was a fan of his music and agreed to say hello backstage.

However, when they met, Tony asked her to be his date that evening. They later found out that the singer had actually met the teenage fan's parents, who took a photo with Tony when Susan's mother was expecting her.

It seemed fate that they should meet, and they proceeded to date for two decades. Finally, in 2007, Tony's divorce from Sandra was finalized, and he and Susan finally tied the knot.

One thing that brought the couple together was their shared love for music. Being a former social studies teacher also meant the duo shared another passion–the love for education.

Together, Tony and Susan co-founded Queens' "The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts." They also created "Exploring The Arts," a non-profit organization that offers public school students the chance to follow the arts.

Their efforts earned them the George Washington University's Medal for work in fostering arts education. Tony revealed at the time that they opened a whopping 17 schools all over the nation!

Tony's Battle with Alzheimer's

In October 2021, Susan and Tony were interviewed by Anderson Cooper for "60 Minutes." The interview was done before the star's 95th birthday, and there they discussed the singer's battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Susan said things were different daily as sometimes her husband was more alert in the morning and sometimes late at night. She revealed that his short-term memory could be less consistent.

The musician's wife also shared how Tony wasn't aware of his diagnosis. Fortunately, Tony was still able to recognize his spouse and his four children, which Susan considered a blessing, given her husband's condition.

How Music Benefitted Tony amid His Alzheimer's Battle

Anderson Cooper got to witness firsthand how performing helped stimulate Tony's brain. The CNN journalist saw how the singer transitioned when he was rehearsing for his final big performance with Lady Gaga.

During their interview, his wife did most of the talking for both of them as the musician struggled to hold a conversation. He couldn't even remember where he was, but with music, he was in his element.

It was announced at the beginning of 2021 that Tony had battled Alzheimer's for over four years. Despite his condition, the 18-time Grammy Award winner didn't need cue cards to remember the words to his classics.

Tony's third and last wife, Susan, lovingly and devotedly cared for him during his battle with Alzheimer's disease. She took pride in being her husband's caregiver and deeply cherished their time together.

Despite the challenges, she remained by his side, supporting him as he continued to sing and perform. In an interview in February 2021, she expressed:

"There is nothing that gives me greater joy or greater pride than [the fact] that I'm able to be with him and take care of him," she said. "When people say, 'What do you do?' I say, 'I take care of a national treasure.'"

Tony & Susan's Sweet Last Outings Together

Tony and Susan shared many joyful and lovely moments as a couple. They celebrated 16 years of marital bliss on June 21, 2023, not knowing that their heartwarming connection would break after only a month with Tony's untimely passing.

Although Tony's public appearances became rare after his Alzheimer's diagnosis, he was sometimes seen with his beloved wife, Susan. In April 2021, the then-94-year-old singer and his 54-year-old wife were spotted enjoying a romantic stroll in Central Park in New York City, holding hands and displaying affection.

Susan, who became her husband's primary caregiver after his health ordeal, lovingly planted a kiss on her husband's hand as they walked with their dog Happy through Manhattan.

In another outing in June 2022, Tony, then 95, was spotted in a wheelchair, enjoying the simple pleasures of life in Central Park. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016, it was a rare public appearance for the legendary singer. Accompanied by an aide and his loving wife, Susan, Tony soaked up the sun and took in the surroundings.

In October 2021, Tony was recognized as the oldest person to release an album with new material for "Love for Sale." The Guinness World Records acknowledged his work on his second album with Lady Gaga, Tony's close friend and longtime musical partner. The album was released on September 30, 2021.

Tony leaves behind a treasure trove of music, as well as his cherished wife, Susan, who remained by his side until his final moments, along with his four children and nine grandchildren.