Tony Bennett has revealed he has Alzheimer's disease.
In an interview with AARP, the singer, 94, said he was first diagnosed in 2016. According to the story, he has not yet experienced common symptoms like disorientation or episodes of terror, rage or depression, "but there was little doubt that the disease had progressed."
Gayatri Devi, M.D., a neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, who diagnosed Bennett, said the singer has some “cognitive issues, but multiple other areas of his brain are still resilient and functioning well."
Devi continued, "He is doing so many things, at 94, that many people without dementia cannot do. He really is the symbol of hope for someone with a cognitive disorder."
The Alzheimer's Association defines Alzheimer's disease as "a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior."
In a tweet sharing the story, Bennett thanked the magazine and his family for their support.
"Life is a gift - even with Alzheimer’s," he wrote. "Thank you to Susan and my family for their support, and @AARP The Magazine for telling my story."
Bennett's wife Susan Crow and eldest son Danny were also part of the interview.
Danny said he checked in with Lady Gaga, one of his father's collaborators, about breaking the silence around his diagnosis.
“I wanted to check with her to make sure she was cool,” Danny said. “because she watches his back all the time. She was like, ‘Absolutely, it's just another gift that he can give to the world.'"
Crow explained that there have been challenges.
“I have my moments and it gets very difficult,” she said. “It's no fun arguing with someone who doesn't understand you... But I feel badly talking about it because we are so much more fortunate than so many people with this diagnosis. We have such a good team. Danny handles Tony's business affairs. We have great doctors."
The story also revealed that Bennett and Gaga have a new album coming out, following their 2014 album "Cheek to Cheek." The album, which the story says was recorded between 2018 and early 2020, is set for a spring release.
According to Crow, Bennett was already showing clear signs of the disease throughout the recording process, but spoke to what music means to him.
"Singing is everything to him,” Crow said. “Everything. It has saved his life many times. Many times. Through divorces and things. If he ever stops singing, that's when we'll know."
Crow added that though Bennett is fortunate, he's still not the same as before.
“There's a lot about him that I miss,” she said. “Because he's not the old Tony anymore... But when he sings, he's the old Tony."
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