Antonia Bennett on her father Tony Bennett’s Alzheimer’s journey, the power of his final performances, and the healing force of music.
When master pop vocalist and American musical iconTony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, his daughter Antonia says he never seemed to dwell on it — or even remember the diagnosis.
“I don’t think he ever really remembered that he had Alzheimer’s,” Antonia shared in a recent conversation reflecting on her father’s journey. “I know that he was told, but I don’t think he actually remembered… because people would say things to him and he would say ‘I feel fine.’”
That focus on the present — and on music — helped define Bennett’s life with Alzheimer’s. “If you have to have a disease like this he had it under the best of circumstances,” Antonia told Being Patient. “He was still able to do what he loved and get out there and perform… He was really in his element when he was on stage.”
The pandemic, however, brought an abrupt stop to performances. “When COVID hit… I think the stage and getting up on stage and going to different places and meeting new people — that was his medicine,” she said. “When that wasn’t there consistently, that’s when I really saw the biggest changes.”
Bennett passed away in 2003, at age 96. In some of his final performances, he was joined on stage by his collaborator Lady Gaga.
Looking back, Antonia said the signs of Alzheier’s were there even before Tony’s diagnosis. “I could see that there were things that were wrong… but I think there’s a part of you before you have diagnosis that you really wonder, ‘Well, is this just a part of getting old?’”
She encourages others to seek answers early: “If they are feeling forgetful or… a major shift, they should go see a neurologist.”
As a longtime performer and her father’s opening act, Antonia said routine and time together made a lasting difference. “It was just beautiful to be able to have that time with him,” she said. “I feel like every time I open my mouth to sing I’m honoring him.”
