Tony Bennet's Kids at War Over Estate
Tony Bennett. Photo courtesy of Bob Elyea. Public domain.
The curtain may have closed on Tony Bennett's legendary life, but for his children, a legal drama is just beginning. The late singer's legacy — once defined by timeless ballads and duets with Lady Gaga — is now shadowed by allegations, lawsuits, and a growing rift among his heirs.
A Battle Over Trust and Transparency
Tony Bennett's daughters, Antonia and Johanna Bennett, filed a new lawsuit against their brother, Danny Bennett, on March 31 in New York, reigniting a family dispute that began months after their father's death in July 2023 at age 96. In their court filing, the sisters reportedly accuse Danny, who served as Tony's longtime manager and is the sole trustee of the family trust, of mismanaging their father's finances both before and after his death.
According to the lawsuit, Danny allegedly used his authority to enrich himself and his children while shutting his sisters out of their rightful inheritance. They claim he maintained "unchecked control" over their father's finances, even as Tony reportedly entered a phase of diminished mental capacity due to Alzheimer's disease, according to the Associated Press.
'He Treated It Like His Own Estate'
According to PEOPLE, the sisters allege that Danny operated "as though he is the sole beneficiary of Tony's assets and accountable to no one."
The sisters also allege Danny has been withholding deeply sentimental items. One item at the heart of the conflict is Tony's piano. Antonia says her father specifically bequeathed it to her. But when she was finally allowed access to their father's Manhattan apartment, the piano was in disrepair. She claims it took legal wrangling just to have it delivered to her home — and only after it had sustained further damage.
Other personal belongings — including Tony's clothing and wardrobe — were reportedly sold or donated without notice to Antonia or Johanna. The sisters say many of the items were discarded before they could collect what was bequeathed to them.
Adding fuel to the fire, the sisters claim Danny let a New York Times Magazine reporter photograph their father's belongings for a story, while denying them access to the same space. The images published in the piece, they say, featured the very piano Tony meant to leave to Antonia — a piano she couldn't even see at the time.
Claims of Financial Misconduct
The lawsuit also revives accusations from a prior filing in June 2024, in which, according to the Associated Press, the sisters accused Danny of breaching his fiduciary duty as trustee, conducting "self-interested and conflicted transactions, excessive and unearned commissions."
They also allege, according to the Associated Press, he took "substantial loans and gifts to himself and his children" from the trust and made questionable business decisions — including the sale of Tony's music catalog and likeness rights shortly before his death, allegedly for personal gain.
At the time, Danny filed a motion to dismiss the case or move it to surrogate's court. In response, the sisters submitted new filings in January 2025, expressing "serious concerns" over the trust's management, according to PEOPLE.
The new lawsuit reportedly seeks unspecified damages and calls for Danny's removal as trustee. The sisters argue that their father's estate plan was clear: all four of his children — including their brother Daegal and Danny — were meant to share equally.
The Defense Speaks
Danny Bennett has not commented directly, but a spokesperson quoted by the Associated Press said, "This lawsuit is yet another baseless attempt to distort the public and the court's understanding of Tony Bennett's clearly stated wishes."
That spokesperson continued, "Danny has followed his father's plans with integrity and care, and it is disappointing that those Tony supported throughout his life — and continues to support through his estate — are now challenging Danny's integrity with unsubstantiated and unfounded claims."
According to that insider, Tony thoughtfully planned his estate and made sure to provide for his loved ones — implying that Danny has done nothing outside the scope of those intentions.
What's Next?
This legal battle is still unfolding, and no ruling has been made. At its heart is a complicated intersection of family, fame, and fiduciary duty — and a fight over not just millions of dollars, but the emotional legacy of a man who meant so much to music, and even more to his children.
Whether the courtroom can untangle the knot left behind by Tony Bennett's final years remains to be seen. For now, fans and observers are left watching as a family that once stood united behind a beloved artist navigates the harsh spotlight of an inheritance dispute.
References: Tony Bennett's Daughters Claim Brother Had 'Unchecked Control' over Father's Finances in New Lawsuit | Tony Bennett's Daughters File New Lawsuit Against Their Brother Over Late Father's Estate | Tony Bennett's Daughters File New Lawsuit Against Their Brother Over the Singer's Estate
