Susan Benedetto, widow of music legend Tony Bennett, remembered her husband following his passing at 96.
In an exclusive interview with People, Benedetto, 56, spoke fondly about her late husband of 16 years, calling him a “wonderful soul.”
She revealed during their honeymoon in Italy, he would “paint all day” and then they would eat pasta, his favorite meal.
“Benedetto, his family name, which I made my own when we married, means ‘the blessed one,’ and I was most certainly blessed to have Tony in my life,” she shared.
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In a post shared to Bennett’s Instagram page on Friday, Benedetto and the singer’s son, Danny, thanked “all the fans, friends and colleagues of Tony’s who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love of him and his musical legacy.”
“From his first performances as a singing waiter in Queens to his last performances in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, Tony delighted in performing the songs he loved and making people happy. And as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony’s legacy forever,” they wrote.
Bennett died on July 23. His representative confirmed the news of his passing in a statement to People.
“Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens, on Aug. 3, 1926, has passed away in his hometown of New York City at the age of 96 earlier today,” his representative said.
His representative 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 nine grandchildren.”
On Jan. 26, Bennett expressed his love for his “beautiful wife” in an Instagram post on “National Spouse Day.”
“Susan! I’m so grateful for your love and support,” he wrote.
Bennett continued, “You make my days brighter and my nights peaceful. I love you more than words can say.”