Tony Bennett’s Daughters Sue Brother Over Iconic Singer’s Estate
3 min read
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Tony Bennett’s family is embroiled in a legal battle over the late singer’s estate. Antonia Bennett and Johanna Bennett filed a lawsuit against their brother D’Andrea “Danny” Bennett on Wednesday, accusing him of mismanaging the assets and transactions of the “Family Trust.”
The lawsuit, obtained by Rolling Stone, claims that Danny, who was Tony’s manager and trustee of the Family Trust, has personally benefited from transactions involving Tony’s memorabilia, personal property, and likeness. The suit alleges that Danny’s company, RPM Music Productions, Inc., received substantial commissions from these transactions, raising concerns about transparency and fairness.
According to the Family Trust, all of Tony Bennett’s tangible personal property is to be distributed equally among his four children following his death in 2023. However, the sisters claim they have not received clear information about the assets and financial affairs they are entitled to as beneficiaries. The lawsuit also names their other brother, Daegal “Dae” Bennett, and Tony’s widow, Susan Benedetto, as respondents.
Antonia and Johanna highlight that Tony Bennett’s earnings from live performances alone during the last 15 years of his career exceeded $100 million. However, they were reportedly informed that the gross estate’s value was less than $7 million, raising suspicions about the handling of their father’s wealth.
The filing states, “Although Danny and his counsel have provided piecemeal information and produced some documents to Petitioners’ counsel, the information provided raises more questions than answers and fails to provide anything close to an accounting of Tony’s assets and financial affairs.” The sisters are seeking “equitable relief” and a comprehensive accounting of “all property and assets of Tony’s estate, the Family Trust, and Benedetto Arts, LLC.”
Despite repeated requests, the sisters claim they have been denied adequate information about their father’s assets. The court documents suggest that Danny has persistently failed to disclose critical details, leading to their current legal action. The suit underscores the lack of clarity about which music assets and other properties were sold and calls for a thorough reassessment.
Tony Bennett, who passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96, was celebrated for his extraordinary career spanning eight decades, during which he won 18 Grammy Awards. His net worth was estimated at $200 million at the time of his death, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
This family dispute over Tony Bennett’s estate comes in the wake of his widow, Susan, and Danny, recalling the singer as a “man of the people” in a joint interview after his death. The ongoing legal battle now casts a shadow over his legacy, as his children fight to ensure fair distribution and transparency regarding his considerable fortune.
The lawsuit calls for Danny Bennett to provide a full inventory of all transactions and assets, including receipts, expenditures, disbursements, and tax returns related to Tony Bennett’s estate. This legal showdown highlights the complexities and emotional toll that often accompany the distribution of a high-profile estate, especially one as significant as Tony Bennett’s.
As the case progresses, it remains to be seen how the court will rule and what impact this will have on the Bennett family’s dynamics and Tony Bennett’s enduring legacy.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
