Tony Bennett's daughters sue their siblings, alleging they're mishandling the singer's family trust

Tony Bennett's family is entangled in a legal battle over control of his estate following the singer's death in July 2023. His widow, Susan Benedetto, who was married to Bennett for over 15 years, is facing a lawsuit from Bennett's two sons, Danny and Dae Bennett. The sons allege that Susan exerted undue influence over their father, particularly after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016, to gain control over his affairs. They claim she manipulated him into making changes to his will and other estate planning documents, thereby securing a significant portion of his assets for herself.

The lawsuit filed by Danny and Dae Bennett asserts that Susan's influence intensified as their father's health deteriorated. They argue that Susan isolated Tony from his family and friends, restricting their access to him, and undermining his mental competence to manage his own affairs. The sons are seeking to have the changes made to the estate plan revoked, arguing that Tony was not in a sound state of mind when these decisions were made. They are also requesting an accounting of the assets and income generated from Tony's music and business ventures.

Susan Benedetto, on the other hand, has denied these allegations, stating that she acted in accordance with Tony's wishes and always prioritized his well-being. She emphasized that Tony's love for music remained strong until the end, as evidenced by his final performances and recordings. The dispute has highlighted the complexities and emotional turmoil often associated with estate management, particularly when it involves a high-profile figure like Tony Bennett, whose legacy and significant assets are at stake​

For more information see Edward Segarra "Tony Bennett's daughters sue their siblings, alleging they're mishandling the singer's family trust," USA Today, June 13, 2024.

Special thanks to Deborah Matthews (Virginia Estate Planning Attorney) for bringing this article to my attention.