Tony Bennett’s widow, Susan Benedetto, says she was “certainly blessed to have” the singer in her life after his death at age 96.

Tony Bennett’s widow, Susan Benedetto, opens up about her late husband’s memories, two days after he passed away at the age of 96.

“Benedetto, his last name, which I made my own when we got married, means ‘the blessed one,'” said Susan, 56. People Sunday. “And I certainly was blessed to have Tony in my life.”

Benedetto, born Susan Crow, married the singer on June 21, 2007 and served as her primary caregiver in her seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He shared a picture of the beloved Rags to Riches singer with the post that was taken during their honeymoon in Florence, Italy.

Benedetto said the Manhattan-born artist “naturally loved visiting his ancestral homeland, and we’ve spent many summers in Italy over the years, and it’s always been a special time for us to be together, just the two of us.”

Benedetto described the activities the I Left My Heart In San Francisco singer enjoyed during his getaways to Italy.

“Tony would paint all day and then we would have pasta, which was his favorite food,” Benedetto said. “Everyone knows that Tony had a heart, but he was also a wonderful soul.”

Benedetto spoke for the first time since issuing a joint statement with Bennett’s son, Danny Bennett, following the death of the artist on Friday, who would have turned 97 on August 3.

In the statement, they sent their thanks to “all of Tony’s fans, friends and colleagues who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love for him and his musical legacy.”

They reviewed the singer’s long career and the enthusiasm he maintained over the years.

“From his early performances as a singing waiter in Queens to his final performances in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, Tony enjoyed performing the songs he loved and making people happy,” they said. “And as sad as today has been for all of us, we can find joy in Tony’s legacy forever.”

Bennett and Benedetto initially crossed paths after one of the singer’s shows. They spent two decades together before their nuptials.

Bennett was previously married twice before marrying Benedetto, a former teacher. He was married to Patricia Beech from 1952 until separating from her in 1965, and their divorce from her was finalized in 1971. In 1971, he married actress Sandra Grant and they separated in 1983.

Benedetto, whose birth name is Susan Crow, married the singer on June 21, 2007. They were photographed in May 2019.

Benedetto was the singer’s primary caregiver in his seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

The legendary artist died at the age of 96 on Friday after a long battle with his health. Pictured in 2019

Bennett in his 2016 book Just Getting Started praised his wife for the uplifting impact she had on him.

“Susan Benedetto has shown me how love gives you the confidence and courage to be your best self, and the inner peace and joy that comes with it,” she wrote.

Bennett’s representative confirmed the artist’s death in a statement to the outlet on Friday.

“Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto in Astoria, Queens, on August 3, 1926, passed away in his hometown of New York City at the age of 96,” the statement read.

It continued: “The beloved singer, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, is survived by his wife, Susan Benedetto, two sons, Danny and Dae Bennett, daughters Johanna Bennett and Antonia Bennett, and 9 grandchildren.”