Tony Bennett! Celebrate His 96th with His Life in Photos

Tony Bennettwas born on Aug. 3, 1926, in Astoria, New York, and beginning in the 1950s dropped hit after hit that had audiences swooning and crooning.Over the course of his iconic decades-long career, Bennett amassed 20 Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, and welcomed four children along the way.As news breaks thatthe icon diedon July 21, 2023, at age 96, take a look back at his long life in photos.

Tony Bennettwas born on Aug. 3, 1926, in Astoria, New York, and beginning in the 1950s dropped hit after hit that had audiences swooning and crooning.

Over the course of his iconic decades-long career, Bennett amassed 20 Grammy Awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001, and welcomed four children along the way.

As news breaks thatthe icon diedon July 21, 2023, at age 96, take a look back at his long life in photos.

01of 17Tony Bennett’s Early YearsTony Bennett.Bettmann/GettyTony Bennett — born on Aug. 3, 1926, in New York City — pictured as a teen.

01of 17

Tony Bennett’s Early Years

Tony Bennett.Bettmann/Getty

Columbia recording artist Tony Bennett as a teen idol.

Tony Bennett — born on Aug. 3, 1926, in New York City — pictured as a teen.

02of 17Tony Bennett in 1952Hulton Archive/GettyThe singer performing in Cleveland in 1952.

02of 17

Tony Bennett in 1952

Hulton Archive/Getty

circa 1952: American pop and jazz singer Tony Bennett performs on stage as local radio disc jockey Bill Randall (left) applauds and teenage girls scream in the audience at a high school in Cleveland, Ohio

The singer performing in Cleveland in 1952.

03of 17Tony Bennett and Wife Patricia BeechBettmann/GettyWith wife Patricia Beech leaving St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City following their Feb. 12, 1952, wedding. The two parted ways in 1971.

03of 17

Tony Bennett and Wife Patricia Beech

Bettmann/Getty

Tony Bennett and Bride Patricia Beech In Wedding Car

With wife Patricia Beech leaving St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City following their Feb. 12, 1952, wedding. The two parted ways in 1971.

04of 17Tony Bennett in 1959NBCU Photo Bank/GettyOnThe Dinah Shore Chevy Showin 1959.

04of 17

Tony Bennett in 1959

NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

THE DINAH SHORE CHEVY SHOW – Aired 5/31/59 – Pictured: Singer Tony Bennett

OnThe Dinah Shore Chevy Showin 1959.

05of 17Tony Bennett and Bob HopeEverett CollectionJoking around with Bob Hope during a 1967 visit to his show.

05of 17

Tony Bennett and Bob Hope

Everett Collection

THE BOB HOPE SHOW, from left: Tony Bennett, Bob Hope

Joking around with Bob Hope during a 1967 visit to his show.

06of 17Tony Bennett and Wife Sandra GrantCentral Press/Hulton Archive/GettyWith second wife Sandra Grant Bennett at the ABC Cinema in London for the 1973 premiere ofLady Sings the Blues.The couple split in 2007.

06of 17

Tony Bennett and Wife Sandra Grant

Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty

Tony Bennett and his wife, actress Sandra Grant Bennett

With second wife Sandra Grant Bennett at the ABC Cinema in London for the 1973 premiere ofLady Sings the Blues.The couple split in 2007.

07of 17Tony Bennett in 1979Lederhan Dler/AP/ShutterstockDuring a 1979 interview in New York City.

07of 17

Tony Bennett in 1979

Lederhan Dler/AP/Shutterstock

Tony Bennett is seen during an interview in New York in July 1979

During a 1979 interview in New York City.

08of 17Tony Bennett and Frank SinatraMichael Ochs Archives/GettyWith friend and collaborator Frank Sinatra in Reno, Nevada, in 1980.

08of 17

Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Pop singers Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra pose for a portrait wearing tuxedos in front a of a gold curtain in July of 1980 in Reno, Nevada

With friend and collaborator Frank Sinatra in Reno, Nevada, in 1980.

09of 17Tony Bennett’s GrammysAFP via GettyWinning a Grammy for best traditional pop vocal performance at the 1993 awards in Los Angeles. The singer has 20 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award.

09of 17

Tony Bennett’s Grammys

AFP via Getty

Tony Bennett holds up his award for the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance during the 35th Annual Grammy Awards on February 24, 1993 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles

Winning a Grammy for best traditional pop vocal performance at the 1993 awards in Los Angeles. The singer has 20 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award.

10of 17Tony Bennett at the Kennedy Center HonorsEric Draper/WireImagePresident George W. Bush congratulates the 2005 Kennedy Center honorees — who include Bennett, far left — on Dec. 4 of that year. Also recognized that year: dancer Suzanne Farrell, actress Julie Harris, actor Robert Redford and singer Tina Turner.

10of 17

Tony Bennett at the Kennedy Center Honors

Eric Draper/WireImage

President George W. Bush congratulates Tina Turner during a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005. From left, the honorees are singer Tony Bennett, dancer Suzanne Farrell, actress Julie Harris, actor Robert Redford and singer Tina Turner

President George W. Bush congratulates the 2005 Kennedy Center honorees — who include Bennett, far left — on Dec. 4 of that year. Also recognized that year: dancer Suzanne Farrell, actress Julie Harris, actor Robert Redford and singer Tina Turner.

11of 17Tony Bennett’s DaughtersPatrick McMullan via GettyWith his daughters Antonia and Joanna Bennett at his 80th birthday party in New York City in 2006.

11of 17

Tony Bennett’s Daughters

Patrick McMullan via Getty

Antonia Bennett, Tony Bennett and Joanna Bennett

With his daughters Antonia and Joanna Bennett at his 80th birthday party in New York City in 2006.

12of 17

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse

Dave M. Benett/Getty

Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse attend the after show party for Tony Bennett’s concert at Royal Albert Hall on July 1, 2010 in London, England

13of 17Tony Bennett and Lady GagaEthan Miller/WireImagePerforming with friendLady Gagaon New Year’s Eve 2014 in Las Vegas. In 2021, the pair returned to the stage in N.Y.C. for two concerts in honor of his 95th birthday.

13of 17

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga

Ethan Miller/WireImage

Tony Bennett And Lady Gaga Headline New Year’s Eve At The Cosmopolitan Of Las Vegas

Performing with friendLady Gagaon New Year’s Eve 2014 in Las Vegas. In 2021, the pair returned to the stage in N.Y.C. for two concerts in honor of his 95th birthday.

14of 17

Tony Bennett Turns 90

Eric Risberg/AP/Shutterstock

Tony Bennett waves while standing with his wife, Susan Crow, after he was presented with a heart shaped birthday cake outside the Fairmont Hotel, in San Francisco

15of 17Tony Bennett and His SonsMichael Loccisano/GettyPosing with sons Danny and Dae while picking up more Grammys at the 2018 awards in N.Y.C.

15of 17

Tony Bennett and His Sons

Michael Loccisano/Getty

Danny Bennett. Tony Bennett and Dae Bennett, winners of Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for ‘Tony Bennett Celebrates 90’ pose in the press room during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City

Posing with sons Danny and Dae while picking up more Grammys at the 2018 awards in N.Y.C.

16of 17Tony Bennett’s Alzheimer’s DiagnosisTony Bennett.Noam Galai/GettyAt one of his last public outings before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, at The Art Students League’s 2019 Gala in New York City on Nov. 4, 2019. In early 2021, Bennett’s family revealed toAARP The Magazinethatthe singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.“Life is a gift — even with Alzheimer’s,“read a notefrom Bennett’s Twitter account the same day. “Thank you to Susan and my family for their support, and@AARPThe Magazine for telling my story.”

16of 17

Tony Bennett’s Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Tony Bennett.Noam Galai/Getty

Tony Bennett

At one of his last public outings before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, at The Art Students League’s 2019 Gala in New York City on Nov. 4, 2019. In early 2021, Bennett’s family revealed toAARP The Magazinethatthe singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.

“Life is a gift — even with Alzheimer’s,“read a notefrom Bennett’s Twitter account the same day. “Thank you to Susan and my family for their support, and@AARPThe Magazine for telling my story.”

17of 17

Tony Bennett Dies

Above: Tony Bennett performing at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s Hot Pink Party: The Pink Standard at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on April 30, 2015 in New York.Kevin Mazur / Getty Images

Montreal concerts in September 2015 include an appearance by the legendary Tony Bennett.

On July 21, 2023, news broke that Bennett had died at age 96. The singer left behind an incomparable legacy filled with hits that changed music.

source: people.com