Tony Bennett's voice could soothe a nation, but his passing has stirred up anything but harmony among his family. The beloved crooner, who died at the age of 96, left behind not just a timeless catalogue of songs but also a fortune estimated at $200 million. While fans mourned the loss of a legend, his children have found themselves embroiled in a legal showdown.
Discover our latest podcast
What was supposed to be a celebration of a life well lived has turned into a headline-grabbing courtroom clash. Let’s take a closer look at Tony’s extraordinary life, the family he adored, and the dispute now casting a shadow over his legacy.
A legendary career that spanned decades
Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, died in July 2023 in his hometown of New York at 96. As reported by AP News, he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 but continued to perform until his final shows in 2021.
With over 70 albums, 19 competitive Grammys, and collaborations with both legendary and contemporary artists, he stood as one of the greats of American music. He bridged the gap between generations with his timeless renditions of jazz and pop standards and remained relevant well into his 90s.
His distinctive voice and gracious stage presence earned him fans across decades, from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Beyond music, he was also a passionate painter and philanthropist, co-founding the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Queens. Bennett was widely regarded as an artist who brought sincerity and elegance to everything he did.
Meet the Bennetts: The family behind the star
Finding love with Susan Benedetto
The richness of Tony Bennett's life extended beyond music to the family he built over the years. He is survived by his third wife, Susan Benedetto, and four children from his previous marriages.
Tony first met Susan’s parents in 1966 when her mother was pregnant with her, and they were long-time fans of his music. As fate would have it, Susan went on to become the president of his fan club in San Francisco during her teens. They eventually met backstage after a concert, began dating in the late 1980s, and married in 2007, after over 20 years of being together. Susan became his primary caregiver after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
His previous marriages & children
Before his marriage to Susan, Tony had two previous unions. He married Patricia Beech in 1952 and had two sons, Danny and Dae. They divorced in 1971. In the same year, he married actress Sandra Grant, with whom he had two daughters, Johanna and Antonia. Although they separated in 1979, the divorce was not finalised until 2007.
Danny, Tony’s eldest son, played a pivotal role in the singer’s career revival. After Tony faced financial and personal struggles in the late 1970s, Danny stepped in as his manager in 1979. Over the next four decades, Danny helped reintroduce his father to younger audiences, secured major record deals, and positioned him as a cross-generational music icon.
In the late 1970s, Tony faced serious personal and financial difficulties, including owing $2 million in unpaid taxes. The situation escalated when the IRS threatened to seize his home, leading to a health scare that resulted in him being hospitalised. Danny told TheNew York Times:
That was the day of reckoning. That is when he called me up. I think that was a desperate move.
Tony's second son, Dae, found his calling in music production and engineering. He worked closely with his father, even winning Grammys for their collaborative albums. Johanna, an actress, and Antonia, a jazz singer, often joined their father at public events and on tour, maintaining close ties with him throughout the years. Tony once told Forbes:
Personally, my four children and seven grandchildren are what make me proud.
Susan also paid tribute to Tony following his death, sharing in a statement with Danny:
From his first performances as a singing waiter in Queens to his last performances in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, Tony delighted in performing the songs he loved and making people happy. And as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony’s legacy forever.
A bitter legal battle over Tony's fortune
As reported by Market Realist, when Tony Bennett died, he left behind a fortune estimated at $200 million that was to be split equally amongst his children. It didn’t take long for disputes to surface over its distribution.
In June 2024 Johanna and Antonia Bennett filed a lawsuit against their brother Danny, over missing assets. Now, they have filed yet another lawsuit claiming he mismanaged their late father’s estate and acted against Tony’s final wishes.
As detailed by The Independent, who reviewed the lawsuit, they accused Danny of acting ‘as though he is the sole beneficiary’ and of failing to honour Tony’s intent for all four children to be treated equally.
Among the grievances, the sisters claimed Danny withheld access to Tony’s New York apartment, only granting entry to them months later—while allowing media access in the meantime. A significant point of contention was a piano bequeathed to Antonia, which they say was returned in a damaged state and required negotiation and reimbursement for its delivery.
The lawsuit also alleges that Danny sold or discarded personal items like Tony’s clothing without notifying his siblings. Additionally, he is accused of pressuring Antonia to sell the piano as part of a larger auction and of selling their father's name, image, and royalty rights for personal gain, reportedly earning millions.
Johanna and Antonia's legal team claims Danny paid himself ‘excessive and unearned commissions,’ took loans and made gifts to himself and his children, and generally used Tony’s estate as though it were his own. In court documents, they wrote:
Tony maintained a loving and devoted relationship with all of his children and his estate plan expressly provides that all four children be treated equally.
Danny, for his part, has been denying the accusations. He stated when his sisters first took him to court in 2024:
My sisters have gained little traction in the court of public opinion, where they continue to hurl the same, tired, accusations they throw at the court in this proceeding, yet they pursue their goal of painting me dirty.
He added:
Our father trusted me during his life — he trusted me to manage his career, to manage his money, and to serve as his trustee; and our father trusted me to continue to handle his affairs, his money and his business after he died.
It is yet to been how he will respond to the latest lawsuit.
Read more:
Remembering Betty White: Her death at 99, family life, and net worth
Elvis Presley's granddaughter is his twin: Everything to know about his grandchildren
Gene Hackman's $80M inheritance: The actor had appointed wife Betsy Arakawa as sole beneficiary
Sources used:
AP News: Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, dies at 96
People: Who Is Tony Bennett's Wife? All About Susan Benedetto
People: Tony Bennett's 4 Children: All About Danny, Dae, Johanna and Antonia
Market Realist: Tony Bennett Leaves Behind $200 Million Fortune; Who Will Inherit It?
The Independent: Tony Bennett’s daughters say older brother bilked them out of legendary singer’s money
