Several famous singers have lived with dementia, most notably legendary crooner Tony Bennett, diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016, who continued to perform and record, and country star Glen Campbell, who publicly shared his diagnosis before passing away from Alzheimer's in 2017. Other notable musicians include Tony Christie, who spoke publicly about his dementia, and pop singer Helen Reddy, who also suffered from dementia in her later years.
Musicians
Here's a list of just a few of the more well-known people with Alzheimer's or another kind of dementia.
William Charles Utermohlen (December 5, 1933 – March 21, 2007) was an American figurative artist known for his late-period self-portraits completed after his diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease.
Lady Gaga has Tony Benett, 95, who has Alzheimer's, sing "Fly Me to the Moon." Music is something we never forget... . Lady Gaga has Tony Benett, 95, who has Alzheimer's, sing "Fly Me to the Moon."
The most prominent country singer known for his battle with dementia (specifically Alzheimer's disease) is Glen Campbell, who publicly shared his journey, recorded a final album and song about it, and passed away in 2017. Other figures include Kris Kristofferson, who experienced memory loss later attributed to Lyme disease but initially thought to be dementia, and contemporary artist Jay Allen, whose mother's dementia inspired his music and advocacy.
The "2-finger test" for dementia involves an examiner showing a hand gesture (like interlocking index and middle fingers) and asking the patient to copy it, testing motor skills, visual memory, and coordination, as difficulties can signal early cognitive decline, but it's a screening tool, not a definitive diagnosis, prompting further medical evaluation. Other related tests include finger-tapping and finger-to-nose, looking for hesitation or misjudgment in movement.
Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a neurological disorder that impacts memory, behavior, and language skills. His family has shared that the disease has advanced to the extent that he no longer clearly recalls his past, including his time as a well-known actor.
Sean Connery dies with dementia. Celebrated Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery died at the age of 90, with dementia. He was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, being the first to bring the role to life and appearing in seven Bond movies in total.
The number one cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, responsible for 60-80% of cases, characterized by brain plaques (beta-amyloid protein) and tangles (tau protein) that damage nerve cells, leading to progressive memory and cognitive decline, though vascular dementia from blood vessel damage is also a significant factor.
TV presenter Fiona Phillips was only 60 when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. At the link in the comments, she and her husband, Martin Frizell, bravely share how her life has changed in the past three years and what the future looks like.
Texas country music legend Joe Ely died Monday from complications of Lewy Body Dementia and pneumonia, according to a statement posted to his official Facebook account. The acclaimed singer-songwriter died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Marie, by his side.
Life expectancy with dementia varies greatly but averages a few years to over a decade, often 4 to 8 years for Alzheimer's, depending heavily on age at diagnosis (younger means longer), type (Alzheimer's generally longer than Vascular), and other health conditions, with newer research showing averages like 5.1 years for women and 4.3 for men from diagnosis, but with wide ranges from shorter for older adults to longer for some.
One of the most famous people to receive a dementia diagnosis in recent years was Bruce Willis. On the 16th of February 2023, it was announced by his family that the Die-Hard actor had an official diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, a relatively rare form of the condition.
You Miss Out on Sleep
You do a few things you know you shouldn't -- we all do. But some of those bad habits can take a toll on your brain. For example, lack of sleep may be a cause of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. It's best to have regular sleeping hours.
The SAGE test is a short, self-administered evaluation that screens for early signs of memory or thinking problems like dementia. You take it on your own, at home or at your provider's office. It's simple and there's no studying needed. It can catch issues early.
Foods containing high levels of antioxidants such as berries and kiwis are effective in helping to prevent and reduce inflammation. Colorful vegetables, dark chocolate and turmeric can also go a long way in protecting the brain from early onset dementia.
The 10 warning signs of dementia include memory loss, difficulty with familiar tasks, confusion about time/place, trouble with language, poor judgment, misplacing things, personality changes, loss of initiative, and problems with visual/spatial skills, requiring professional assessment to distinguish from normal aging.
Bruce Willis, the legendary actor behind Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, and Pulp Fiction, can no longer remember his life as a movie star. At 70, Willis is battling frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—a rare, aggressive brain disease that affects memory, personality, and language.
A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years. Vascular dementia – around five years.
Alzheimer's Rates By Country