Who is Susan Benedetto? 'Today' host Hoda Kotb tells viewers about 'powerful' interview with Tony Bennett's family
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: During a recent ‘Today’ episode, host Hoda Kotb had a big announcement for her viewers as she revealed her upcoming interview with legendary singer Tony Bennett’s wife, Susan Benedetto.
On Tuesday, August 1, Kotb spoke about the big interview with Bennett's family. The singer had received 20 Grammy Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He died on July 21. After his death, the ‘Today’ family spoke to his wife, Susan Benedetto, and his eldest son, Danny, in an intimate interview.
Who is Susan Benedetto?
Benedetto has led an accomplished and fulfilling life, making a significant impact in the fields of education and arts philanthropy. After graduating from Fordham University and Columbia University's Teachers College, she started her career as a social studies teacher at the Fiorello H LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts in New York City. Before her teaching profession, she owned Creative Artists Management in Manhattan, guiding artistes in managing their careers.
Benedetto's life took a remarkable turn when she met Bennett in the late '80s after one of his concerts. Their decades-long romance culminated in an intimate wedding ceremony in 2007. The couple collaborated on various philanthropic endeavors. Together, they founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Bennett's hometown of Queens, New York, and Benedetto played an instrumental role as a social studies teacher and assistant principal at the school. However, their love story faced challenges when the 'I Left My Heart in San Francisco' singer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2016. Benedetto stepped into the role of his primary caregiver while continuing her charity work in the arts education field. Throughout their journey together, she has proven herself to be not just a devoted wife, but a dedicated educator and philanthropist, leaving a lasting legacy of love, compassion and commitment to the arts.
This Thursday, in honor of what would’ve been the iconic singer’s 97th birthday, @hodakotb has an exclusive interview with the family of Tony Bennett. pic.twitter.com/pxjBYbRuuR
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 1, 2023
‘Today’ Hoda Kotb’s big announcement
In the recent episode of ‘Today’, Kotb chatted with her co-hosts, Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin, when she revealed her pre-recorded interview with Benedetto and Danny, which would air on Thursday, August 3. Kotb said, “Thursday by the way guys would have been the legendary singer's 97th birthday so in honor of that occasion I have the chance to talk to Susan Benedetto – that's his devoted partner – they were together for 38 years and his eldest son, Danny."
Kotb further shared, “They had some powerful things to say about Tony's incredible life, the love he had for anybody in his orbit. And they also shared something very touching, the very last song that Tony sang to Susan, it was just days before his passing. It was a beautiful conversation, really touching, you'll want to see it it'll be Thursday here on Today."