Tony Bennett , Dead at 96.<br />Bennett's death was confirmed by his publicist on July 21, 'The Guardian' reports. .<br />The cause of death has yet to be <br />announced, but the legendary singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016.<br />He remained in good spirits, however, <br />taking to Twitter in 2020 to say, <br />"Life is a gift - even with Alzheimer's.".<br />Bennett grew up in Queens, New York, and became a singing waiter as a teenager.<br />He later enrolled at <br />New York's School of Industrial Art.<br />In 1944, Bennett was drafted to fight in WWII. In 2013, he referred to the experience as "legalized murder.".<br />After returning to the states, Bennett pursued his passion for singing and landed a No. 1 hit with "Because of You" in 1951.<br />In 1962, he found major fame with his version of "I Left My Heart in San Francisco," <br />which won him two Grammys.<br />Later, amid the rise of rock n' roll, a drug addiction and the end of his second marriage, Bennett struggled to hold the public's favor.<br />But after making some changes in the early '80s, Bennett's 1986 album, 'The Art of Excellence,' launched him back into the spotlight.<br />He has since collaborated with <br />artists ranging from Paul McCartney <br />to Queen Latifah and Lady Gaga.<br />After his 90th birthday, <br />Bennett said, "I could have retired 16 years ago, but I just love what I'm doing.".<br />Bennett is survived by four children
