Tony Bennett , Dead at 96.
Bennett's death was confirmed by his publicist on July 21, 'The Guardian' reports. .
The cause of death has yet to be
announced, but the legendary singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016.
He remained in good spirits, however,
taking to Twitter in 2020 to say,
"Life is a gift - even with Alzheimer's.".
Bennett grew up in Queens, New York, and became a singing waiter as a teenager.
He later enrolled at
New York's School of Industrial Art.
In 1944, Bennett was drafted to fight in WWII. In 2013, he referred to the experience as "legalized murder.".
After returning to the states, Bennett pursued his passion for singing and landed a No. 1 hit with "Because of You" in 1951.
In 1962, he found major fame with his version of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco,"
which won him two Grammys.
Later, amid the rise of rock n' roll, a drug addiction and the end of his second marriage, Bennett struggled to hold the public's favor.
But after making some changes in the early '80s, Bennett's 1986 album, 'The Art of Excellence,' launched him back into the spotlight.
He has since collaborated with
artists ranging from Paul McCartney
to Queen Latifah and Lady Gaga.
After his 90th birthday,
Bennett said, "I could have retired 16 years ago, but I just love what I'm doing.".
Bennett is survived by four children