Tony Bennett Dies at 96: Ex-wife Patricia Beech Was on Date When He Saw Her & Was Taken with Her

A young student, Patricia Beech, was minding her own business when a man, besotted with her at first glance, asked her on a date. From there, her life became a whirlwind. She was soon known as the ex-wife of the late American singer Tony Bennett.

Patricia Beech rose to fame after she became romantically involved with a singer who was well-loved globally. The two said their "I do's" in 1952 when she was just 19 years old.

As the now-late Tony Bennett walked down the aisle with this art student, fans were devastated. Thousands of them stood outside the wedding venue wearing black as a gesture of mourning.

Tony Bennett and Patricia Beech unpacking circa 1955 | Source: Getty Images

Farewell to a Musical Icon: Tony Bennett Passes Away at 96

Legendary pop vocalist Tony Bennett, known for his immense talent and professional eight decades career, passed away at 96 in New York City. Despite being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016, he continued to impress fans with his performances and recordings until 2021.

The legendary singer's career experienced a resurgence in the 1990s and the new millennium, partly due to the efforts of his first son, who managed his career and had him collaborate with various new-generation artists.

Beyond his musical achievements, Bennett was also an accomplished painter, and his works were exhibited in galleries worldwide. His unparalleled talent and enduring legacy have left an indelible mark on the music industry. He was married to Patricia Ann Beech and Sandra Grant and is survived by his third wife, Susan Benedetto, his children, and grandchildren.

Tony Bennett performing on stage during an invitation-only concert at Encore Boston Harbor Casino in Everett, Massachusetts, on August 8, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Timeline of Patricia Beech and Tony Bennett's Relationship

Beech was simply enjoying her life in Cleveland and went to Moe's Main, where the late Bennett was singing. When the singer spotted his then-future wife while at the venue, his breath was immediately taken away; in his book "The Good Life," Bennett recalled:

"I met and fell in love with a young woman named Patricia Beech in July of 1951. I was singing at Moe's Main Street in Cleveland, Ohio, and one night she came in with a date. I could see her from the stage — she was sitting ringside — and I was taken with her beauty."

Luckily for the late singer, Beech's date asked him if he wanted to join them, and of course, he did not hesitate to say yes. He learned a lot about Beech, such as her taste in music, stating that she was fond of jazz disc jockey "Symphony Sid" and had all-around excellent taste in music.

Tony Bennett as a teenager | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Beech Accepted the Late Singer's Proposal

The late vocalist wasted no time as he asked for her number, and they went out on their first date the next day. She soon after moved to New York to be with Bennett and worked as a broker. Then came the engagement, as he remembered it:

"I was headlining the Paramount again for the Christmas holidays. So during my show, I announced my intentions to the world which was a surprise to Patricia. I was fortunate that she wanted to marry me as much as I wanted to marry her."

Tony Bennett's manager at the time, Ray Muscarella, was not pleased about his client's marital plans. So, the late singer alleged, he tried to sabotage their wedding day at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. The late singer claimed his manager coordinated the scene of women mourning.

Tony Bennett and Patricia Beech leaving St. Patrick's Cathedral in their wedding car on February 12, 1952 | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Beech Began Her Life as a Wife

The late singer also claimed that some crazed fans would not let his now ex-wife walk up the steps to her wedding. Luckily, the newlywed couple had a two-week honeymoon in the Bahamas to shake off all the drama.

Once the wedding and honeymoon ended, the newlyweds began their life together, with their initial years on tour together. They would spend their time at their place in New York when they weren't on the road.

Tony Bennett with his daughter Joanna and wife Sandra Grant at the London Zoo, January 14, 1972 | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Beech Became a Mother

Because of all this touring, the two did not have children right away. Eventually, they had their first child, born on February 3, 1954, and their second child, born on October 15, 1955. Having children changed things for the then-couple, and the singer wrote:

"When the new baby came, we felt that Patricia needed to stay at home with the kid, especially since I was scheduled to start an extensive tour...and after the tour, Patricia and I decided it was time to get a house in the suburbs where the kids could spread out."

Beech did one last tour with her then-husband in 1957. This decision came about after they found that the distance between them while she stayed home and he was touring was hurting their marriage. However, she never joined him on the road again.

Tony Bennett feeding the pigeons with his daughter Joanna on January 14, 1972, in the UK | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Beech's Marital Struggles

Sadly for the couple, the touring kept affecting their relationship, and they decided it would be best to give each other some space. So the late music artist moved into a separate apartment in 1965.

Afterward, Beech and her then-husband kept talking, and things appeared to be getting better, so he moved back into the family home. Unfortunately, their union did not last.

Tony Bennett working in the garden of his home, circa 1960 | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Beech's Decision to End the Marriage

While trying to work things out, Beech found out about a woman her husband was getting close to, and she ended the relationship. Bennett recalled:

"Patricia called me at the hotel and Sandra answered the phone. We were officially separated from that moment on."

When it came time to work out the divorce, the pair had difficulties reaching an agreement. Beech took the reins, serving her then-husband with divorce papers and taking him to court. They finalized the divorce in 1971, and Beech remained with the two children in the family home in Englewood.

Tony Bennett, Danny Bennett, and Patricia Ann Beech on September 16, 1954 | Source: Getty Images | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Beech's Children with the Late Tony Bennett

Beech had two boys with the late Bennett: Danny Bennett and Dae Bennett. Now a grown man, their first son works in the entertainment industry as a film producer with several Emmy nominations and a win to his name.

He was also his late dad's manager for over four decades. He oversaw collaborations with many prominent artists, such as John Legend, Norah Jones, Carrie Underwood, and Lady Gaga. He also has a son and was last reported to have a girlfriend, Hadley Spanier, in 2021.

Their second son followed in his late father's musical footsteps, working as an audio editor, drummer, and producer. He currently works as a freelance audio engineer and producer. His time in the music industry has earned him several nominations and awards. The brothers have also performed in rock bands together.

Tony Bennett with his son Danny and Patricia Beech at the Lebanon Hospital on February 3, 1954, in the Bronx, New York | Source: Getty Images

Patricia Beech's Life after Her Divorce from the Late Tony Bennett

From having fans mourning her wedding, touring the world with the late Bennett, to giving birth to two highly successful young men, Beech's life has certainly had its fair share of excitement. However, she has remained private about her personal life.

Beyond that, we do not know much about her and what she is currently doing with her life. What we do know, however, is that her sons and their late father had maintained a close relationship.

ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmtwa2xjZnqxrdOroJyhkWKvprHCoWSbnZOWuqZ506ilsmWSmruvsdOtqmaemafAb7TTpqM%3D