Tony Bennett is a legendary American singer. His music cuts through various genres such as traditional pop, swing, contemporary pop, intimate ballads, show tunes, etc. Some of his most popular songs include Because of You (1951), Rags To Make A Millionaire (1953) and The Evergreen I Left My Heart In San Francisco (1962) .
In a glittering career spanning 6 decades, Bennett has released several successful albums. He has also won multiple awards and accolades including 20 Grammy Awards. In addition, Bennett is an experienced painter and has exhibited his work in several prestigious institutions. Find out more about this living legend here, including facts about his spouse and net worth.
Tony Bennett Bio
Anthony Dominick Benedetto was born on August 3, 1926 in Astoria, Queens Borough, New York. His father John was an Italian migrant while his mother Anna was the daughter of Italian migrants. Bennett grew up with two siblings, an older sister named Mary and an older brother named John Jr.
Tony Bennett fell in love with music and painting as a child. He began singing in public at a young age. At the age of 10 he performed at the opening of the Triborough Bridge in 1936. To pursue his love of music and painting, Bennett enrolled at the New York School of Industrial Art, where he studied both subjects. However, he did not complete his education due to his poor background.
Tony Bennett was drafted into the US Army in 1944 at the age of 18. He fought in different parts of Europe between 1945 and 1946. The horrors he experienced on the front lines of World War II made him a pacifist. After retiring from the army in 1946, he began voice training. While waiting for tables, he continued to sing.
Tony Bennett re-signed with Columbia Records in 1986 and subsequently made a comeback. He also appeared on MTV Unplugged in 1994, which brought him closer to the younger generation. Over a long career, Bennett has released at least 70 albums, 3 of which have gone platinum. He has also seen at least 30 of his songs make the charts. As a testament to his distinguished career, Bennett has received awards and honors too numerous to mention. They include 20 Grammy Awards and other notable honors such as the Kennedy Center Honors in 2005 and the United Nations Humanitarian Aid to Refugees Award in 2006. The singer has also received honorary doctorates from many institutions. On his 90th birthday, his statue was unveiled in front of the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
How much is he worth?
Some sources put Bennett’s net worth at $110 million, while others put it as high as $200 million. There’s no doubt that Bennett has made a lot of money from his career. Not only did he sell millions of albums, but he also performed frequently. At the height of his career, he performed up to 100 times a year. He also made money from television appearances and endorsement deals.
wife or spouse
Tony Bennett has been married three times, his first marriage being on February 12, 1952 to Patricia Beech. The marriage produced two sons – D’Andrea (born 1954) and Daegal (born 1955). They separated in 1965 and the divorce was finalized in 1971. Bennett remarried on December 29, 1971. This time to actress Sandra Grant. He and Grant reportedly started dating in 1965. Their marriage produced two daughters – Joanna (b. 1970) and Antonia (b. 1974). They separated in 1979 and the divorce was finalized in 1983. Some reports state that the divorce was finalized in 2003.
Tony Bennett is currently married to former NYC schoolteacher Susan Benedetto (née Crow). His wife bears his last name. Bennett and Susan began dating in the late 1980s. They made things official on June 21, 2007. The ceremony was private and witnessed by former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo.
The couple have two charities, Exploring The Arts and The Frank Sinatra School of The Arts. Both charities are committed to making it easier for students (particularly disadvantaged ones) to study the arts.