He retired from live performances in August after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016, capping off a seven-decade career with a series of shows alongside Lady Gaga.
Bennett has spent his time since retirement painting, cooking, and visiting his family.
He struggled to communicate after he retired, so his wife of over 15 years, Susan Benedetto – who has adopted his surname – did interviews alongside him.
But when he sang alongside Gaga, the magic reappeared, thanks to Gaga’s kindness and patience, according to Benedetto.
Bennett and Benedetto, 55, were spotted strolling through Central Park on Thursday.
In his blue tracksuit, the singing great appeared comfortable and joyful, joined by an attendant and Benedetto.
It was the first time he had been photographed in a wheelchair.
Bennett’s sons Danny, 68, and Dae, 67, both born from his first marriage to Patricia Beech, which ended in 1971; and daughters Joanna, 52, and Antonia, 48, whose mother is Bennett’s second wife, actress Sandra Grant, who divorced Bennett in 1984, said in August that he still recognized her and his children.
Benedetto and Bennett married in 2007 in a ceremony officiated by Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York.