You know her voice, you’ve seen her perform, but there’s a deeply personal side to Céline Dion that many may not fully understand. After the passing of her beloved husband, René Angélil, on January 14, 2016, Céline was left heartbroken. Yet, in the face of unimaginable loss, she has continued to honor René’s legacy—not just through her music, but also through the love and care she gives to their children. It’s a story of resilience, love, and enduring devotion.
The Man Behind the Music: Who Was René Angélil?
René Angélil wasn’t just Céline Dion’s husband; he was her mentor, her confidant, and the man who helped shape her into the global icon we know today. Back in the ‘60s, René started his career as a singer in Canada before transitioning into artist management. It was in 1980, when Céline was just 12 years old, that their paths first crossed. René saw something special in the young singer and decided to take her under his wing. The Grammy-winning artist fondly recalls her first performance for René, describing how deeply moved he was by her talent.
“While I was singing, he started to cry,” Céline once told People. “I knew then I had done a good job.” Fast forward to when Céline was 19, and the pair officially began dating. Despite a 26-year age difference, their love was undeniable. “We kind of kept it cool because of my career. I was living that love secretly,” she revealed in 2016. “When I was ready to share my life with the world, it was like, ‘Boom! Love! Love always wins.’”
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A Love Story for the Ages: When Did Céline Dion Marry René Angélil?
Céline and René’s journey wasn’t just about music; it was about love. They got engaged in 1991 after more than a decade of working together. Three years later, in a breathtaking ceremony at Montréal’s Notre-Dame Basilica, they exchanged vows and became husband and wife. It was a union that would inspire countless fans and leave an indelible mark on the music industry.
René’s Battle with Cancer: What Happened to René Angélil?
Life threw René a curveball in 1998 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He stepped away from his career to focus on his health, and by 2000, he was declared cancer-free—a victory that seemed like the start of a new chapter. In 2001, Céline and René welcomed their first child, René-Charles Angelil, adding joy and new purpose to their lives. But the challenges didn’t end there. In 2010, they welcomed twin boys, Nelson and Eddy, further expanding their family. Tragically, in 2013, René’s cancer returned, forcing Céline to pause her career to care for him.
“He can’t eat so I feed him,” she shared during an interview with ABC News in March 2015. “He’s got a feeding tube. I have to feed him three times a day.” Despite the hardships, Céline remained committed to her husband, ensuring he felt loved and supported until the very end. René passed away at the age of 73 in January 2016, just two days shy of his 74th birthday.
Céline also opened up about how she handled telling her children about their father’s illness. “I really believe that children know it all,” she said. “We’re afraid to explain because we’re scared, because we’re worried.”
A rep for the couple shared the heartbreaking news of René’s passing with the world: “René Angelil, 73, passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer. The family requests that their privacy be respected at this moment.”
Céline Dion's Journey Through Grief
Three years after René’s passing, Céline reflected on the lessons she learned about navigating grief. In an April 2019 segment on Good Morning America, she said, “You cannot stop living. Go forward. And today’s the first day of the beginning of my life, because I know that, I don’t have to worry.”
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On the fifth anniversary of René’s death, Céline paid tribute to him on Instagram. “René, it’s been 5 years already… There’s not one day that we don’t think about you,” she wrote in January 2021. “We’re reaching out to you now more than ever, to guide us, protect us, and continue to watch over us. And we pray that you’ll shine your love on the entire world, to all those at this very moment, who are facing incredibly difficult times.”
In 2022, Céline revealed her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological condition. She shared how it impacted her relationship with her children. “I barely could walk at one point, and I was missing very much living. My kids started to notice. I was like, ‘OK, they already lost a parent. I don’t want them to be scared,’” she told People. “I let them know, ‘You lost your dad, [but] mom has a condition and it’s different. I’m not going to die. It’s something that I’m going to learn to live with.’”
