▲Tony Bennett was born Anthony Dominick Benedetto on August 3, 1926 in Astoria, NYC. His parents were John Benedetto, who had emigrated to the US from southern Italy, and Anna Suraci.

▲At the piano with jazz legend and bandmaster Duke Ellington (1899–1974).

▲Growing up in the Great Depression, Bennett turned his ear to music. Early influences included Al Jolson, Judy Garland, and Louis Armstrong.

▲He studied painting and music at New York's School of Industrial Art. He later saw action as an infantry rifleman in the last stages of WWII.

▲Pictured: Bennett is a class act in London during the Royal Variety performance, attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

▲Bennett's rich and beautiful memoir, 'Life is a Gift,' charts his life, from growing up in Depression-era America to becoming one of the world's best-loved entertainers.

▲Bennett rubbed shoulders with Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

▲Bennett and Lady Gaga appeared on the road together for the Cheek to Cheek Tour to promote their album, 'Cheek to Cheek' (2014). She's pictured here helping to celebrate his 90th birthday.

▲Here he is under the spotlight on the famed Venetian Room stage at the Fairmont San Francisco to celebrate his milestone 90th birthday. It was here, in 1961, that he first performed his signature song, 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco.'

▲Here his daughters, Johanna and Antonia, help to celebrate Bennett's 90th birthday.

▲A few months after his 90th birthday, Bennett was invited to perform at the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. He appeared with the Muppets' Miss Piggy to sing 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town.'

▲Bennett was snapped arriving at New York's Madison Square Garden, where he took home the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Grammy for 'Tony Bennett Celebrates 90' (2016).

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Bennett tied the knot three times. His first marriage was to Patricia Beech in 1952, then he married Sandra Grant in 1971. Wife number three was Susan Crow, whom he married in 2007.

▲The American crooner presents the Fab Four with awards during a break in the Beatles' set at the Wembley Pool venue, London

▲The latter half of the '60s saw Bennett's commercial fortunes decline. By the decade's end, he had no recording contract and his personal life was in disarray. The 1970s were equally demoralizing.

▲Bennett began recording in 1949. His first big hit was 1951's 'Because of You.' Other notable songs from the '50s include 'Rags to Riches' and 'Stranger in Paradise.'

▲By the late 1980s, Bennett was back in business. Appearances on TV shows geared towards a younger audience (including a memorable MTV Unplugged gig) won him a new fan base. He was making a comeback, picking up numerous awards along the way.

▲With Diana Ross for the premiere of 'Lady Sings the Blues' at the ABC 1 Cinema, London.

▲Jazz legend Louis Armstrong (1901–1971) with a portrait of himself drawn by Bennett, a lifelong friend.

▲By now an established star, Bennett won his first Grammy Award in 1962 for 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco,' a track which has since become his signature song. The album of the same title won Record of the Year.

▲Bennett, along with dancer Suzanne Farrell, actress Julie Harris, actor Robert Redford, and singer Tina Turner are congratulated by US President George W. Bush during a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors at the White House.

▲A duet with Christina Aguilera proved to be one of the highlights of the prestigious event, held in Los Angeles.

▲Later, Bennett accepted his award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for 'An American Classic.'

▲Clutching his awards for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album ('Duets') and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ('Body And Soul,' with Amy Winehouse).

▲The singer speaks to residents as they take part in a rally against gun violence in New York.

▲Bennett and daughter Antonia perform together at a concert in the Italian capital. Bennett's father was born in southern Italy, and the concert was somewhat of a homecoming for the American singer.

▲All smiles in Monte Carlo as he proudly showed off his World's Best-Selling Jazz Artist of the Year award and Legend Award, which he received for his outstanding contribution to the music industry.

▲Hoisting his Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album Grammy for 'Playin' With My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues' (2001).

▲Bennett acknowledges the standing ovation afforded to him at the close of his triumphant UK concert appearance.

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As his last show, Bennett gave a heart-wrenching farewell performance in New York City billed as 'One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga,' revealing his immediate retirement. The sold-out concert with Lady Gaga aired on CBS on November 28, 2021, and Bennett positively shone, singing standards like 'Fly Me to the Moon' and 'Steppin' Out With My Baby.' He also performed duets with Lady Gaga including 'Love For Sale' and 'Anything Goes,' and Gaga herself teared up when she took a moment onstage to talk about him.

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Bennett held down a Latin vibe during the Super Bowl XXIX halftime show. The San Diego Chargers faced the San Francisco 49ers at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. The 49ers won.

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An accomplished artist, Bennett would sketch or paint nearly every day, and signed finished work under his real name Anthony Benedetto, or just Benedetto.

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Legendary singer Tony Bennett sadly passed away at the age of 96 on July 21, 2023. While the cause of death wasn't mentioned, Bennett had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease since 2016. He shared his diagnosis with the public in 2020, declaring that: “Life is a gift–even with Alzheimer’s.” Despite the cognitive impairment typical of the devastating condition, Bennett continued to remember every line from his repertoire of songs. His longtime collaborator and friend Lady Gaga said that once the music came on, he always knew exactly what to do.

During his seven-decade career, Bennett earned an incredible 20 Grammys, in addition to numerous other awards, honors, and accolades. He became one of America's great crooners, and for many years prior to his death he was the last one standing. Despite his failing health, Bennett continued to perform into his nineties. In fact, he won his 20th Grammy in 2022 when he was 95 years old!

In honor of this music great, click through the following gallery for an appreciation of Tony Bennett.

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In 2022, Bennett and Lady Gaga won a joint Grammy for their collaborative album 'Love For Sale.' It was his 20th win at the prestigious music awards ceremony.