Tony Bennett's Son Insists Dad Wanted Him As Sole Administrator As Family Feud Turns Ugly

Tony Bennett's oldest son is insisting his late father wanted him as the sole administrator of his estate!

Danny Bennett is in a tussle with his siblings over the late musician's estate as he declared that his late father trusted him with everything during his lifetime and is now in death.

Tony Bennett's children are contesting the accounting of his estate due to discrepancies in his finances. They believe his massive estate is being undervalued following his passing. This difference has prompted them to demand more transparency regarding his finances.

In fresh court documents, Danny responded to claims made by his sisters, Antonia and Johanna, regarding the estate's financial records. He dismissed their accusations that he refused to provide these records, asserting that their father had intended for him to have sole control over his trust. 

Danny explained that their father often gave him and his wife significantly more gifts than he did to his siblings, which he believes has led to their confusion.

In his declaration, Danny accused his sisters of seeking conflict, stating, "There is nothing to fight about." He emphasized that their father had trusted him throughout his life to manage his career and finances, a trust he continued to uphold after his death. 

As confirmed by In Touch, Danny claimed that his sisters' efforts to undermine him in public perception have not gained much support, as they continue to repeat unsubstantiated accusations. 

He firmly denied any allegations of "self-dealing" while working for Tony, asserting that the claims of improper conduct levied against him were entirely false.

Danny revealed that Tony was very firm about keeping Antonia and Johanna out of his business affairs, to the extent that he established a "no contest" clause in the trust.

This clause would prevent anyone opposing any part of the trust from receiving their share. While Danny clarified that he had no intention of enforcing this clause, he mentioned it to emphasize Tony's intentions.

He also shared that he has provided extensive information to his sisters regarding the trust and their father's assets. Danny acknowledged that he actively engages in negotiations related to Tony's assets and intellectual property.

He stated that his role is to maximize the value of these assets by striking significant entertainment and marketing deals. Danny expressed confidence in his actions, stressing that his sisters should not criticize him for fulfilling his responsibilities.

If anything, Danny added that being proactive in such a crucial time following Tony's death presents a unique opportunity to enhance the wealth that Tony left for all his heirs.

In June 2024, Antonia and Johanna initiated a lawsuit against Danny regarding the estate of Tony, who had passed away on July 21, 2023, at the age of 96.

The sisters demanded that Danny, who had managed Tony during his lifetime and was appointed as the trustee of the singer's trust after his death, provide an estate accounting.

They expressed confusion over the estate's valuation, which was only $7 million. Antonia and Johanna believed Tony had earned over $100 million in the previous 15 years, leading them to question why the estate was not worth more.

Antonia and Johanna expressed their concerns regarding the $4.2 million in gifts that Danny received from Tony, noting that their own financial support over the years was significantly less.

The sisters accused Danny of not providing adequate accounting for estate transactions and expenses. They also claimed he failed to disclose important information about the sale of Tony's music catalog.

The sisters' lawyer highlighted several issues, including Danny's conflicting financial statements, unexplained expenses amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, and various distributions and gifts Danny allegedly made for his benefit, despite holding fiduciary responsibilities.

The attorney continued, "Danny's actions during the Pre-Death Period were anything but ordinary and raise serious concerns about the Post-Death Period."  The sisters believed Tony's trust was supposed to tend to his four children equally.

In response to his sisters' request for a detailed account of their late father's estate spending, Danny firmly rejected their demands.

As noted by The Blast, the late musician's son emphasized his significant contribution to Tony's successful career, particularly highlighting his involvement in the memorable comeback that defined Tony's legacy.

Danny stated that Tony credited him with helping to turn his life around after hitting rock bottom in the late 1970s. During this challenging period, Tony faced a near-fatal cocaine overdose and a financial crisis that led to the IRS seizing his Los Angeles home. 

Tony Bennett's eldest son reportedly served as his father's manager from the 1970s until his retirement in 2021, a role he believes Tony acknowledged when he won a Grammy Award for his comeback in 1995.

Supporting this perspective, Danny's lawyer claimed that Tony regarded Danny as one of his greatest assets. Not only did Tony name Danny co-trustee, but he also appointed him as both his personal and business manager.

Danny stated that he continued to play a crucial role in revitalizing Tony's career, especially when the jazz icon could not go on tour.

Recognizing the opportunity, Danny negotiated a highly profitable deal that included selling the singer's memorabilia, music royalty stream, and the rights to his likeness and publicity.

The contract, referred to as the "Iconoclast Deal," encompassed a purchase price along with a limited-term income stream from various projects. Danny asserted that he was completely transparent with his sisters about the details of the deal and the income it generated.

In response to Antonia and Johanna's request for a comprehensive accounting of the estate, Danny contended that they lacked legal rights to access financial information from before and after their father's passing.

His attorney supported this position, arguing that conducting an accounting for an estate that had only been open for a year was unnecessary and burdensome.

Will Tony Bennett's son and his siblings find common ground soon?