Tony Bennett, 94, reveals Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis

Tony Bennett, 94, reveals Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis and says he has been secretly battling the condition since 2016

Tony Bennett has revealed he has been been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

The iconic American singer, 94, has announced that he was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and has been battling the disease ever since during an article with AARP magazine on Monday.

Tony opened up about his condition for the first time in a Twitter post, where he said ‘life is a gift, even with Alzheimer’s’, and thanked his wife Susan, 54, and his family for their continued support.

Breaking news: Tony Bennett has revealed he has been been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease

‘Life is a gift – even with Alzheimer’s. Thank you to [his wife] Susan and my family for their support, and AARP,’ he wrote on Twitter. ‘The Magazine for telling my story.’

Although he was diagnosed four years ago, the article reveals that Tony began show real signs of decline two years later, while he was recording the Cheek to Cheek album with Lady Gaga.

His wife Susan told the publication: ‘There’s a lot about him that I miss. Because he’s not the old Tony anymore … But when he sings, he’s the old Tony.’ 

Tony reportedly first aired concerns over his health in 2015 when he admitted he was struggling to remember the names of his fellow musicians.

Statement: The iconic American singer, 94, has announced that he was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and has been battling the disease ever since during an article with AARP magazine on Monday

Statement: The iconic American singer, 94, has announced that he was diagnosed with the condition in 2016 and has been battling the disease ever since during an article with AARP magazine on Monday

Although his wife Susan tried to assist by writing a list of names to keep on his piano, Tony insisted that he needed to see a doctor. 

A neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City confirmed the diagnosis in 2016. 

Dr. Gayatri Devi, who diagnosed the star, told the magazine: ‘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.’ 

More to follow.

Support: Tony opened up about his condition for the first time in a Twitter post, where he said 'life is a gift, even with Alzheimer's', and thanked his wife Susan and his family for their continued support

Support: Tony opened up about his condition for the first time in a Twitter post, where he said ‘life is a gift, even with Alzheimer’s’, and thanked his wife Susan and his family for their continued support

WHAT IS ALZHEIMER’S?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, in which build-up of abnormal proteins causes nerve cells to die.

This disrupts the transmitters that carry messages, and causes the brain to shrink. 

More than 5 million people suffer from the disease in the US, where it is the 6th leading cause of death, and more than 1 million Britons have it.

WHAT HAPPENS?

As brain cells die, the functions they provide are lost. 

That includes memory, orientation and the ability to think and reason. 

The progress of the disease is slow and gradual. 

On average, patients live five to seven years after diagnosis, but some may live for ten to 15 years.

EARLY SYMPTOMS:

  • Loss of short-term memory
  • Disorientation
  • Behavioral changes
  • Mood swings
  • Difficulties dealing with money or making a phone call 

LATER SYMPTOMS:

  • Severe memory loss, forgetting close family members, familiar objects or places
  • Becoming anxious and frustrated over inability to make sense of the world, leading to aggressive behavior 
  • Eventually lose ability to walk
  • May have problems eating 
  • The majority will eventually need 24-hour care   

 Source: Alzheimer’s Association