Celine Dion feels late husband Rene Angelil is still by her side amid battle against stiff person syndrome
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Celine Dion continues to find strength and solace in memories of her late husband, Rene Angelil, as she navigates her ongoing battle with stiff person syndrome (SPS).
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE Magazine, the singer shared how she keeps her husband's presence alive during her medical treatments and daily life, underscoring their enduring bond.
Celine Dion shares how her late husband Rene Angelil is still with her
Dion said, "I'm still married to Rene. He's still my husband. When we have to travel to my treatments to see my doctors, I always bring pictures (of him)," reflecting on how she includes Angelil in her treatments for stiff person syndrome in a revealing new documentary, 'I Am: Celine Dion', which is slated to stream globally on Prime Video on June 25.
"And we have pictures, of course, all over the place in the house," shared the 'I'm Alive' singer.
Throughout her struggle with SPS, Dion has found comfort in the memories and legacy of Angelil. She recounted how their older son, Rene-Charles, and twins Eddy and Nelson, maintain a connection with their father through photographs and fond remembrances.
"Even when they were very small, even when he was still with us in his bed (when he was) in his room struggling, he was with us still. (They would tell him), 'Dad, we're going to be watching Ratatouille tonight, so I hope you like it.' They were talking to him, and they kiss the pictures," recalled Dion.
Angelil, who was a music producer, died in January 2016 of throat cancer.
Following her diagnosis of SPS in August 2022, Dion has largely remained at their Las Vegas residence for intensive treatment, attending rehabilitation therapy five days a week.
"My kids always ask, 'Did you bring Papa's pictures?' And I always say, 'Yes, I have Papa's pictures!' He's their father, he's my husband, and he always will be," noted Dion.
The upcoming documentary, 'I Am: Celine Dion', directed by Oscar nominee Irene Taylor, offers a poignant glimpse into the singer's life, showcasing her resilience and vulnerability amid her battle with the rare neurological disorder.
Dion expressed, "I didn't want for Irene to ask me if she was allowed to capture this or that. I was like, 'I want you and your team, if you're in the home of my three boys, and my dog, and myself, and my condition and my fight... I give you the OK for you to not ask."
As the premiere date approaches, the 'My Heart Will Go On' songstress expressed gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support and encouraged them to find strength in sharing their own struggles.
She noted, "I want my fans to know another 'song' of mine. My fans who know me well know not all (my) songs are happy, but they are true. And this is a song that is very honest and a song that I own. I miss my fans tremendously, and I hope that what they see (in the film encourages them) to speak out. Don't suffer alone."
Celine Dion recalls getting an injury on her wedding day
Dion recently opened up about a memorable mishap from her wedding day with her late husband Angelil in 1994.
In an interview for Vogue's 'Life in Looks' series, the singer reflected on her extravagant wedding ensemble, which included a seven-pound headpiece adorned with 2,000 Swarovski crystals.
The Oscar-winning artist candidly discussed the challenges she faced wearing the elaborate attire, despite her initial confidence, recalling, "No problem, I can manage the weight. And when you're so happy, there's no weight, there's no problem, there's no pain," as reported by Daily Mail.
However, the grandeur of the ceremony at the Cathedral posed unexpected challenges for Dion, who had rehearsed on wooden floors but faced a carpeted aisle. "I start to walk and... it's like, 'Am I gonna make it? Am I gonna make it to my future husband?'... I did, so all night, all great, people happy," humorously recounted the singer.
Despite the joyous occasion, Dion experienced an unforeseen consequence the following day. Upon removing the weighty tiara, she discovered a cut on her forehead due to the pressure exerted by the headpiece. "
The next day I wake up, I look at myself in the mirror, I have the size of an egg in the middle of my forehead. I look at my husband and I said, 'Ha, it's too late now we're married.' But it's so huge... I'm like, okay, let's go to the doctor," shared Dion, adding that the injury necessitated a three-week course of antibiotics.
