An upbeat Tony Bennett was enjoying Manhattan’s hot summer as he was wheeled through Central Park by a male orderly just weeks before turning 96.
The legendary singer, who turns 96 in less than a month, was seen smiling and waving as he was wheeled around NYC in a wheelchair on Friday.
Last year, on August 3—his birthday—the city celebrated Tony Bennett Day for the first time, marking the musician’s contribution to music and the arts.
Lady Gaga’s dashing boyfriend wore immaculate white trainers, a pair of comfy Adidas sweatshirts with the famous red stripes down the side, and a sky blue Nike polo shirt with a matching black zip-up jacket.
His nurse seemed just as happy to be out and about in the sunny city as he smiled as Bennett waved to patrons at a restaurant they passed.
They were also seen enjoying the expansive greenery in the famous park. The Queens-born entertainer has lived most of his life in New York City and calls home a sprawling penthouse overlooking Central Park. He moved to his apartment on Central Park South 25 years ago to be closer.
For his 95th birthday, Sony Music Entertainment — which owns Bennett’s label Columbia Records — honored him with a bench in the park with his name on it. The bank is located east of Center Drive near Central Park South and Sixth Avenue, near where he lives.
Singer Tony Bennett, 95, waved to diners at a restaurant as he walked by in New York City on Friday
The Grammy Award winner looked upbeat and upbeat as he made one of his rare appearances in the city, enjoying a sunny and warm day in Central Park
The Fly Me to the Moon singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016 and retired from performing in August, ending his seven-decade career.
Since retiring, Bennett has spent his time painting, cooking, and rolling around his beloved park.
Earlier last month, the Grammy winner was spotted in another rare appearance at the park alongside his wife Susan Bendetto, who took his original last name.
It was the first time the father of four used a wheelchair to get around the very inaccessible city.
In August, Benedetto said he still recognizes her and his children — sons Danny, 68, and Dae, 67, both from Bennett’s first marriage to Patricia Beech, which ended in 1971; and daughters Joanna, 52, and Antonia, 48, whose mother is Bennett’s second wife, actress Sandra Grant, who divorced Bennett in 1984.
Benedetto and Bennett married in 2007 at a ceremony presided over by former New York Governor Mario Cuomo.
Benedetto was a high school teacher who was a fan of the singer.
“By the time she was nineteen, she had tickets to see me at the Masonic Temple in San Francisco and asked to say hello backstage after the show, probably without expecting an answer,” Bennett wrote in his book.
“The request was sent to me and it tickled me that someone her age was so passionate about my music.
“Not only did I agree to say hello to her backstage, I asked her to be my date that night, and that’s really how it all started.”
He didn’t seem to mind the busy street as he sat comfortably in his wheelchair
Lady Gaga’s boyfriend was spotted rolling around in a wheelchair for the first time last month
Nothing can stop him from rolling! The Fly Me to the Moon singer enjoyed the day at his beloved park. He moved to Central Park South 25 years ago to be around and is seen enjoying a bit of greenery in the concrete jungle from time to time
When Benedetto and Bennett announced his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in February 2021, she said it’s been hard to come to terms with in the five years since his condition was confirmed.
“There’s a lot I miss about him because he’s not the old Tony anymore,” she said in the interview. “But when he sings, he’s old Tony.”
She said he was spared some of the worst symptoms of Alzheimer’s – like episodes of anger, terror and depression.
Benedetto revealed the World War II veteran “doesn’t know” he has Alzheimer’s.
“He recognizes me, thank God, his kids you know, we’re blessed in many ways. he is very cute He doesn’t know he has it,’ she said.
His assistant also appeared to be enjoying the summer weather as the couple appeared to be laughing and smiling together on Friday
Bennett wore his favorite outfit these days: comfy Adidas sweatshirts, a Nike polo and jacket, and immaculate white sneakers