Celine Dion Then and Now: Singer’s transformation through the years as she battles Stiff Person Syndrome

'Queen of Power Ballads' Celine Dion over the years: From Oscar win to health struggles

The pride of Canada, Celine Dion never ceases to astound fans of all ages with her incredible voice. Dion endured hardships and tragedies at an early age to consistently produce beautiful songs. The five-time Grammy winner's unique voice, which has the power to move audiences to tears, has been the most constant aspect of her career. Here is the transformation of the Queen of Power Ballads from her early years to age 56, as she battles Stiff Person Syndrome since 2022.

1981 - 1985: Celine Dion's mother helped her become a star

Celine Dion's mother helped her daughter in becoming a success in 1980, as per Dion's official biography. A song called 'Ce n'était qu'un rêve' was co-written by Dion and her brother Jacques. Dion's mother went so far as to send a recording of her daughter singing the song to the Quebec-based music manager Rene Angelil. Angelil was so impressed that he extended an invitation for Dion to play live. Dion released her debut album, 'La voix du Bon Dieu' or 'The Voice of God' in English when she was 13 years old.

1986 - 1987: Celine Dion had refreshing sound and look in 'Lolita'

Celine Dion had incredible experiences during her adolescent years as a gifted young vocalist. To boost her reputation, Dion and her manager, Rene Angelil, agreed to an 18-month tour hiatus. Her album 'Incognito' was released in 1987, much to the pleasure of her fans, marking her comeback. Dion looked and sounded fresher at the age of 18, as seen in the music video for her song 'Lolita'. Her former publicist Mia Dumont remarked, "All of a sudden she had this body."

1990 - 1993: Celine Dion released her first English album 'Unison'

In 1990, Celine Dion released her first English album 'Unison'. She collaborated with singer Peabo Bryson on the theme song for the beloved Disney animated film 'Beauty and the Beast'. In 1992, the lovely duet brought Dion her first Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo with vocals. Celine sang 'The Power of Love' for President Bill Clinton at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, in early 1993, which eventually drove the Dion-Angelil pair.

1994 - 1996: Celine Dion married longtime manager Rene Angelil

'The Power of Love' became Dion's first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 list, peaking at No.1 for four weeks in 1994. Dion celebrated yet another significant personal achievement in that same year when she married her longstanding manager Rene Angelil. Dion was 26 years old and 26 years younger than Angelil when they were married. In 1996, Dion returned to the top of the charts with her single 'Because You Loved Me'.

1998 - 2000: Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On' won the Oscar for Best Original Song

Celine Dion's one of the most famous movie songs ever, 'My Heart will Go On' from James Cameron's 1997 masterpiece 'Titanic' won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 70th Academy Awards. Angelil was diagnosed with cancer at the time. After overcoming the illness, Angelil appeared on stage at the Centre Molson in Montreal on December 31, 1999, to ring in the new millennium with his sweetheart. Dion's incredible performance was her final one before a well-earned break.

2000 - 2010: Celine and Rene's son Rene-Charles Angelil was born in January 2001

In January 2001, her son Rene-Charles Angelil was born. In 2004, Dion won the title of the greatest-selling female singer of all time at the World Music Awards, having sold over 175 million albums globally. She made a stunning comeback to the music industry in 2002 when she signed on to perform five nights a week at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Within months of giving birth to twins in 2010, Dion announced she was going to Vegas again.

2012 - 2017: Celine Dion returned to Caesars Palace after heartbreaking loss

Following 15 years of fighting throat cancer, Angelil's health deteriorated, and Dion ceased performing in Vegas. On her return to the Caesars Palace stage, she was met with a standing ovation in August 2015. In a heartbreaking situation, Dion's husband and brother both passed away in January 2016. In February 2016, Dion returned to Caesars Palace, where she paid tribute to her late husband. Dion took a break from her Las Vegas residency in the summer of 2017 to embark on a 25-city, sell-out tour of Europe and the United Kingdom.

2019 - 2022: Celine announced Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis

The year 2020 complicated the situation for Celine Dion and the rest of the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dion declared in May 2021 that she would make a triumphant comeback to the stage in November of that same year, at the brand-new Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas. Dion fearlessly announced on December 8, 2022, that she had a rare disease known as Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), which kept her from performing on stage again.

2023 - 2024: Celine Dion opened up about Stiff Person Syndrome condition in rare interview

In 2023, fans got to witness Dion live on screen when she starred in her first film, a romantic comedy called 'Love Again'. With a stiff-person syndrome diagnosis in 2022, Dion appeared in her first television interview, appearing frail. In an interview with 'Today' host Hoda Kotb, the five-time Grammy winner revealed the specifics of her struggle, per Deadline. "Celine Dion at some point, she is now much better, but at some point, she almost died, which is something that she says," the 59-year-old host said about the interview.