Tony Bennett's daughter spoke candidly about celebrating the first Thanksgiving without the patriarch.
The country officially celebrated Thanksgiving this year, with some offering different ways to mark the day. Tony's daughter, Antonia Bennett, opened up about her preparation for the first Thanksgiving and holiday season without the legendary singer.
Tony Bennett's Daughter Reflects on the Loss
Speaking in an exclusive phone interview with People, Antonia said she guides herself with the advice she received from her late father: "Never look back, always look forward."
According to Antonia, she does not know if the line is true, but she always reminds herself to find joy in life.
"Grief hasn't been a straight line, but I feel blessed that I was able to have my dad in my life for as long as I did, and that he lived such a long and full life," she said, revealing that she would be in Los Angeles for the holidays. "My sister and my mom are coming out, so we're going to have a nice, small, family dinner here."
She recalled the time she and Tony celebrated Thanksgiving days several times at the Gotham Bar and Grill. They also marked Christmas between the homes of Ella Fitzgerald and artist David Hockney.
Tony struggled with different health issues before her death.
In his 1998 memoir, "The Good Life," the "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" singer said he struggled with drug addiction in the 1970s when he and his family with Sandra Grant, moved to Hollywood. He also dealt with depression following his divorce from his first wife, Patricia Beech, which happened on the Christmas of 1965.
Tony Bennett's Death
A few days before what would have been his 97th birthday, Bennett left everyone heartbroken by his passing.
His publicist, Sylvia Weiner, told The Associated Press that he passed away in New York. No cause of death was disclosed, but he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016.
Despite the diagnosis, he continued performing in the years prior to his death.
"I enjoy entertaining the audience, making them forget their problems," he said in 2006. "I think people ... are touched if they hear something that's sincere and honest and maybe has a little sense of humour.... I just like to make people feel good when I perform."
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