Tony Bennett

Being active in the music industry for more than 7 decades, Anthony Dominick Benedetto aka Tony Bennett has surely gained a huge experience in the field of the music industry. He is an American singer of a big band, show tunes, jazz, and traditional pop standard. Bennett is also known as the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts based in Astoria Queens, NY.

Early Life

Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on 3rd August 1926, in Queens, New York. Born to his American parents Anna Suraci and John Benedetto, he is of Caucasian ethnicity and holds American nationality.

Tony grew up along with his siblings, a brother John Jr., and a sister named Mary. Unfortunately, Bennett's father died when he was ten years. He faced great difficulty and depression after John's death.

From an early age, Benedetto began listening to Eddie Cantor, Bing Crosby, Al Jolson, and jazz artists including Jack Teagarden, Joe Venuti, and Louis Armstrong.

At the age of ten, Tony had already started singing and also performed at the opening of the Triborough Bridge, right next to Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.

Moreover, Anthony also had a passion for drawing. He is also known as the class caricaturist at P.S. 141 and anticipated a profession in commercial art. At the age of thirteen, Benedetto began singing for money, and he appeared as a singing waiter in various Italian restaurants in Queens.

Regarding his education, Tony joined New York's School of Industrial Arts and studied music and painting. However, at the age of 16, Bennett dropped out of school to support his family.

He began serving for the Associated Press as a runner and copy boy, and in other low-paying jobs. Also, Tony joined the American Theater Wing after working for the United States Army during World War II.

As Tony began his singing career since he was 10. In 1949, Benedetto was first spotted by Pearl Bailey who offered him to perform for her show in Greenwich Village. Later, Bob Hope allowed him to sing on his roadshow.

While on the road, he met Mitch Miller, a famous record producer. His first big hit was Because of You with a collaboration with Mitch Miller as a producer. The song began attracting more fans on jukeboxes leading to peak number one on the 1952 pop charts. One million copies of the song was sold.

Later in late 1950, Tony showed his interest in jazz music and released tracks Chicago and Jeepers Creepers with Baise Swings, Count Baise, and Bennett Sings. In the year 1962, Tony became more famous with the song I Left My Heart in San Francisco and won his first Grammy award for the track.

Bennett gained more fame after his release of some hit tracks like The Good Life and Wanna Be Around. Additionally, Tony has also released tribute albums like Tony Bennett on Holiday, Perfectly Frank and Steppin' Out.

One of Anthony's best song, A Wonderful World, in collaboration with k.d. Lang also made him receive his another Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. In 2006, on his 80th birthday, Benedetto released his duets titled An American Classics featuring Elton John, Sting, and Barbra Streisand.

After gaining the success for the album, Anthony released his another celebratory album in the year 2011, titled Duets II. The album also includes a song featuring Lady Gaga titled The Lady Is a Tramp, and another song named Body and Soul with Amy Winehouse.

Moreover, in 2014, Bennett released an album named Cheek to Cheek with Lady Gaga which also received another Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Besides his singing career, Bennett is famous for his paintings, where is he known as Anthony Benedetto. Tony's paintings were also featured in the Metropolitan and Smithsonian Museum of Art. Moreover, his paintings have also been featured in ARTnews and other various magazines, which is worth $80,000 per painting.

Most of his remarkable works were published in his art books such as the 1996 Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen, and his another book with a painting titled Tony Bennett in the Studio: A Life of Art & Music in 2007. This book also became a best-selling book among art book in the market.

Awards

In his many years of career, Tony has received several awards for his varied career. He has won nineteen Grammy Awards. He was also awarded for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performer in 1997, Lifetime Achievement Award, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album 2016, Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2007, and more to mention.

Furthermore, Anthony was also nominated in the 2018 Grammy award for the  Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

Is Tony Bennett married or single?

Tony Bennett is a married man. He has been married three times to date. Scroll down to know about his marital life.

Tony Bennett's First Spouse

Anthony married his first wife, Patricia Beech. The couple first met each other in the nightclub located in Cleveland.

After dating for a long time, the pair finally decided to exchange wedding vows on 12th February 1952. Together with the ex-couple, Tony shares two sons Daegal Bennett (born in 1955), and D'Andrea Bennett (born in 1954).

However, the couple began facing personal issues with each other, and they started living separately in 1965. The reason behind their separation was Tony not giving sufficient time to his family. The divorce was finalized in 1971.

Tony Bennett's Second Spouse

After his divorce with Beech, Tony began dating his second wife Sandra Grant in 1965. After dating for several years, the couple decided to get married on 29th December 1971. The wedding was held in NYC.

Since the marriage, Bennett and Grant shares two children together named Antonia Bennett (born on 7th April 1974), and Joanna Bennett (born in 1970).

The couple was doing great until they began facing personal issues. Due to which Bennett and Sandra could not last long and get separated in 1979.  Later on 1st July 1983, their divorce was finalized.

Since they began facing issues, Anthony started using marijuana and cocaine. But his son Danny helped him to leave the addiction and get back into his professional and personal life.

Tony Bennett's Third Spouse

After a few years of his divorce with his second partner, Benedetto began dating his third wife, Susan Crow. The couple first met during Tony's concert, at the time he was in his 60's and Susan was in her 20's. Susan is also a former social studies teacher at school.

After dating for quite a period, Tony and Crow tied the knot on 21st June 2007. Since then the couple is living a happily together in a marital relationship.

Tony and Susan together founded a charitable organization named Exploring the Arts, which is focused on promoting, creating, and supporting arts education. Meanwhile, the couple also founded Frank Sinatra School of Arts located in Queens.

The school is known as a public school which dedicatedly teach arts.

Moreover, there are no rumors or controversies about the couple that leads to their separation or divorce.

How Much Is Tony Bennett Net Worth?

Tony Bennett earns a considerable amount o[f money from his career as a singer, painter and. Till date, he has worked for various bands and released numerous hits which adds up to his wealth.

Moreover, he also makes a decent amount of money as a painter. His paintings have a minimum price tag of $80,000. Also, he earns quite a paycheque as an author. Till date, Bennett has published several books, including his arts.

Anthony also owns a 9,500 square foot mansion on the westernmost promontory of Belvedere Island OD. The house is worth $27,500,000, which is now for sale.

Considering all his income and expenses, Bennett's total net worth is estimated to be $200 million, as of 2019, which is a bit more than another American singer Tomi Rae Hynie with total assets of $100 million.

Charity

Besides his career, Tony is also involved in charity works. Bennett, along with his third wife Susan Crow founded an arts education charity named Exploring the Arts. 

The charity is worth $78 million. Moreover, the couple also founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts.

Tony Bennett Age & Body Measurements (Height, Weight)

The multi-talented artist Tony stands at a height of 1.71 meters / 5 feet 6 inches and weighs around 64kg / 141lbs. He is 92 years old as of 2019.