Tony Bennett's family reveals singer's battle with Alzheimer's disease

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Monday, February 1, 2021
Tony Bennett diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
Grammy award winning artist Tony Bennett is battling Alzheimer's disease.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Grammy award winning artist Tony Bennett is battling Alzheimer's disease.

His family revealed the diagnosis in an extensive interview with AARP that was published this morning. The 94-year-old was officially diagnosed four years ago, but his family has kept it a secret until now. His wife says that he was already showing signs when he was recording the album Cheek to Cheek with Lady Gaga as far back as 2014.

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Bennett is a native of New York City, but his connections to the Bay Area run deep. He considers San Francisco his second "hometown" and there's even a statue of him outside the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. There are no plans to stop singing - in fact his team of neurologists have him singing twice a week to help stimulate his brain.

Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.