Celine Dion has posted a rare photo with her three sons as she reflects on the ninth anniversary of the death of her husband René Angélil.
The singer, 56, shared the Instagram snap on Wednesday, which saw the star cosying up to her sons René-Charles, 23, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 14.
The snap, taken at Christmas, shows a smiling Celine matching her boys in cream ensembles as they relax at the family home in Las Vegas.
‘René, we can’t believe you’ve been gone nine years already,’ she wrote in the caption. ‘Not a day goes by that we don’t feel your presence, RC, Eddy, Nelson and I.’
‘You were my greatest champion, my partner, and the one who always saw the best in me. I honor you and you are forever missed mon amour…. We love you.’
Celine— who’s career was derailed by her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome — lost her husband in 2016 to throat cancer.
Celine Dion has posted a rare photo with her three sons, René-Charles, 23, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 14, as she reflects on the ninth anniversary of the death of her husband René Angélil
Celine— who’s career was derailed by her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome — lost her husband in 2016 to throat cancer; seen in 2012 in Dusseldorf, Germany
Céline’s first performed for René in 1980 when she was just 12 years old.
The audition was a success, and he agreed to become the budding singer’s manager.
Their relationship became romantic by 1987, when Dion was 19, and the two tied the knot seven years later.
When Celine’s oldest son, known as RC, was just 14 years old, he captured the hearts of Canada with a moving eulogy to his late father, having been a pillar of support for Celine following her husband’s death.
RC has followed in his mother’s musical footsteps by kickstarting a rap career, and he’s released five singles on SoundCloud, including Catwalks, Loft Music Remix (which borrows from The Weeknd’s song), Never Stop, The Apple and The Kid.
In 2017, RC also made a cameo at her concert in Paris, while she sang a cover of the Michael Jackson hit Black or White.
Céline’s own career has lately slowed following her admission in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome.
The condition causes a person’s muscles to become increasingly tense and stiff over time, which can lead to chronic pain and impaired mobility.
‘René, we can’t believe you’ve been gone nine years already,’ she wrote in the caption. ‘Not a day goes by that we don’t feel your presence, RC, Eddy, Nelson and I’ (the couple pictured on their wedding day in 1996)
Céline’s career has lately slowed following her admission in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome but she has regularly praised the support of her sons
That muscle tension can also make it difficult for a singer to properly perform.
Last year she told Vogue France that she felt fortunate to have strong support system in place, as well as the resources to keep current with her health.
‘Above all, the love of my family and my children, and the love of the fans too, and the support of my team,’ Celine said.
‘People who suffer from SPS may not be lucky enough or have the means to have good doctors and good treatments.
‘I have those means, and this is a gift. What’s more, I have this strength within me. I know that nothing is going to stop me.’
In the interview, Celine said she ‘hasn’t beat the disease,’ adding that ‘it’s still within me and always will be.’
Said Celine: ‘I hope that we’ll find a miracle, a way to cure it with scientific research, but for now I have to learn to live with it. Five days a week I undergo athletic, physical and vocal therapy.
‘I work on my toes, my knees, my calves, my fingers, my singing, my voice… I have to learn to live with it now and stop questioning myself.’