Legendary singer Tony Bennett, known for hits like "Rags to Riches" and "Fly Me to the Moon," has passed away at the age of 96, his publicist Sylvia Weiner confirmed. While the cause of death has not been disclosed, Bennett had been battling Alzheimer's disease since 2016. Lady Gaga, who had a close friendship and collaboration with Bennett, penned a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, expressing her deep grief and reminiscing about their time together.

In her emotional post, Gaga shared a photo of herself and Bennett embracing and expressed that she will miss him forever. She highlighted their musical partnership, stating that they were able to transport themselves to another era and modernize the music together as a singing duo. Gaga emphasized that their relationship was genuine and went beyond the stage. She praised Bennett's optimistic outlook on life and his belief in quality work and quality life. Gaga also mentioned the gratitude that Bennett always carried with him, citing his service in World War II, participation in the civil rights movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr., and collaborations with renowned musicians.

Gaga revealed that she had been grieving Bennett's loss for a long time and described their powerful goodbye. Despite their significant age difference, she considered Bennett a true friend who brought something unique to their relationship. Gaga stated that losing Bennett to Alzheimer's had been painful but also beautiful, as it allowed her to witness his vulnerability and desire to preserve his dignity. She expressed her gratitude for being able to share such intimate moments with him, even as his memory faded.

In the tribute, Gaga urged others not to overlook or abandon their elders as they age or face health challenges. She encouraged people to embrace sadness as a part of life and to continue moving forward. Gaga stressed the importance of taking care of elders and promised that doing so would lead to learning something special, perhaps even magical. She concluded by emphasizing the power of silence in their musical partnership, highlighting that some of their most meaningful exchanges occurred without melody.

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett shared a strong friendship and collaborated on multiple occasions throughout their careers. Both artists have Italian-American backgrounds and roots in New York, which further strengthened their bond. They released two studio albums together, "Cheek to Cheek" in 2014 and "Love for Sale" in 2021. The duo also embarked on a successful tour in support of "Cheek to Cheek" in 2014 and 2015. Additionally, Gaga and Bennett performed together at various events, including the Robin Hood Foundation gala in 2011 and the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards.

Their collaboration extended beyond music, as Gaga credited Bennett for helping her through tough times. She revealed that six months prior, she had lost her desire to sing, but Bennett's unwavering passion for his craft inspired her to continue. Gaga even sought Bennett's advice during the production of the film "House of Gucci," where she portrayed Patrizia Reggiani. Bennett cautioned her against turning the character into an Italian caricature.

Tony Bennett's impact on the music industry was profound, earning him 20 Grammy Awards throughout his career, including a lifetime achievement honor in 2001. Despite his battle with Alzheimer's, Bennett continued to perform and record music. His final Grammy was awarded posthumously in April 2022 for his collaboration with Gaga on "Love for Sale." The loss of Bennett has left a significant void in the music world, but his legacy and contributions will forever be remembered.