Tony Bennett, a collaborator and ‘real true friend’ of Lady Gaga, passed away on July 21 at the age of 96.

Gaga spoke of ‘grieving the loss of Tony for a long time’ as she seen his quality of life decline

as a result of Alzheimer’s disease in a lengthy and intensely emotional statement on Instagram.

‘I’ll always miss my pal. I shall miss singing, recording, chatting, and performing on stage with him.

Bennett and Gaga collaborated for the first time in 2011 on Bennett’s Duets II, where they both sang ‘The Lady is a Tramp.’ Following their cooperation, they grew close.

For Bennett’s Love for Sale album in 2021, which brought him his final Grammy in 2022, and for Bennett’s Cheek to Cheek album from 2014, the two collaborated once more.

Gaga clarified that their relationship went beyond music.

‘Sure, he taught me about music and the show business, but he also demonstrated to me how to maintain a positive attitude and keep my head on straight.

Straight ahead, he would command. He was an optimist who valued both a good life and a good job, she said.

‘Plus, there was the thanksgiving…Tony was ever appreciative. He participated in the Second World War,

marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr., and performed jazz with the best musicians and singers in the world.

I had the opportunity to live in a time warp with Tony. I had this mystical ability with Tony. We went back in time and combined to modernize the music.

Gaga continued by describing how, despite having a difference in age, the two pals were always an inspiration to one another.

‘I’ve been mourning Tony’s passing for a very long time. We said goodbye in a lengthy and emotional manner.

Despite the five decades that separated us, he was my friend. My true friend, truly. Our age gap didn’t matter;

in fact, it provided us both advantages we wouldn’t have had with other people. We were completely motivated and came from two distinct life stages.

Although it was difficult, losing Tony to Alzheimer’s disease was also quite beautiful. Memory loss is such a sacred period in one’s life.

There is a strong sense of vulnerability and a need to maintain respectability. All I wanted was for Tony to know how much I appreciated having him in my life and how much I loved him.

The fact that he was willing to sing with me when his nature was changing so drastically, though, made me realize

in my heart that he was sharing with me the most vulnerable time of his life that he could. I won’t ever forget this encounter. I’ll always remember Tony Bennett.

With a stirring cry to action, the 37-year-old musician concluded her ode by imploring ‘the world’ to ‘discount your elders.’

‘Don’t abandon them when circumstances change. Don’t flinch when you feel sad, just keep going straight ahead, sadness is part of it.

I guarantee that if you take good care of your elders, you will learn something wonderful. Even miraculous, perhaps.

Pay attention to stillness as well; some of my partner and I’s most poignant conversations lacked any melody at all.