Tony Bennett “doesn’t know” he has Alzheimer’s disease, says wife Susan Benedetto

Tony Bennett’s wife, Susan Benedetto, has opened up about how the star is coping with her health battle.

In February, Bennett and his family announced that the crooner had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The 95-year-old performed one last time on stage alongside Lady Gaga at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in New York City before officially retiring.

On Sunday, Benedetto detailed her husband’s condition during an appearance on “60 Minutes”.

“He recognizes me, thank goodness his children, you know we’re blessed in so many ways,” she said. “He’s very sweet.”

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“He doesn’t know he has it,” she noted, referring to Bennett’s illness.

Despite the heartbreaking condition, viewers saw Bennett perform a song with his pianist without using any sheet music or lyrics in front of him.

“Tony likes to say he’s on a mission to make people feel good, and he still is,” said Benedetto.

“This is it,” he rang.

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Dr Gaytari Devi, who diagnosed Bennett with Alzheimer’s disease, told the show that the singer “knows he’s Tony Bennett and he knows how to behave like Tony Bennett.”

“It’s an area of ​​the brain that is such an inherently hard-wired part of his brain,” she said. “And it is also an area of ​​his brain that gives [him] real meaning and purpose in his life, and it is filled with emotion. “

“I mean, that’s the other thing about music that sets her apart, is that it’s a part of the brain that is very emotional,” she continued. “Music is lodged in different parts of the brain, including the parts of the brain that process emotions, and therefore it is easy to be moved by it when you hear it.”

AARP magazine previously reported that Bennett was diagnosed with progressive disease, which affects memory and speech, in 2016. Alzheimer’s disease is considered a common form of age-related dementia.

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In August, singer Danny Bennett’s son revealed to Variety that his father was retiring from concerts in New York City, Maryland, Connecticut, Arizona, Oklahoma and Canada.

“It’s not the singing aspect but rather the travel,” Danny told the outlet at the time. “He’s getting tired. We don’t want him falling on stage, for example. We’re not worried that he might sing. We are worried, from a physical standpoint… of human nature.”

Bennett first noticed something was wrong in 2015 when he complained to his wife that he couldn’t remember the names of the musicians who were on stage with him at a performance.

“So we got him a list that he put on the piano,” his wife told AARP. “But he wasn’t happy with that.”

While Susan initially believed blackout was part of the aging process, Bennett wanted to see a doctor.

The point of sale referred to raw documentary footage of recording sessions where Bennett was “much more muted.” When he spoke his words were “hanging” and at times he seemed “lost and stunned”. Gaga, who was aware of her condition, kept her words short and simple, as experts recommend.

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Today, Bennett receives a lot of support from his family. Devi told the outlet that she was impressed with Benedetto’s dedication as a caregiver. The couple married in 2007.

“I was humbled by the level of devotion,” Devi explained. “She also expects a lot from him. I think her teaching experience helps, but she is also very much in love with him. And he lives up to her expectations.”

While Bennett doesn’t wander around like some do, Benedetto is always with him. His son Danny takes care of the Patriarch’s business. As for music, Bennett always has singing sessions at home to stay active.

“There are a lot of things about him that I miss,” his wife noted. “Because he’s not old Tony anymore. But when he sings he’s old Tony.”