Celine Dion Reflects On Life After René Angélil

Celine Dion on Losing the Love of Her Life

In early 2016, the world of legendary singer Celine Dion changed forever when her husband and lifelong partner, René Angélil, passed away at the age of 73. René, who had managed Celine’s career since she was a teenager, fought a long battle with throat cancer before succumbing to a heart attack. Recently, in an emotional interview with The Project, the 49-year-old icon opened up about the final years of René’s life and the immense pain she endured watching him suffer.

Speaking candidly, Celine revealed just how difficult those final years were. “For three long years, my husband couldn’t take a single sip of water or eat a bite of food. He was surviving through a feeding tube,” she told journalist Lisa Wilkinson. The emotional weight of those years was palpable as she continued, “All I wanted during those agonizing years was for him to live in peace. I wished he could feel light, free from worry. When he had that little heart attack, it happened so quickly—he didn’t even feel it. In a way, I thought it was like he was finally free from his suffering.”

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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René's Legacy Lives On

Celine, the voice behind the timeless hit "My Heart Will Go On," shared how René continues to be a guiding presence in her life, even after his passing. “He taught me everything I know. He’s the only man I’ve ever known, the only man I’ve ever loved. I’ve never kissed another man in my life,” she confessed. René wasn’t just her husband; he was her mentor, her confidant, and her rock for 21 unforgettable years.

Even though René has been gone for more than two years, Celine’s heart remains heavy with grief. “I believe I’ll grieve for the rest of my life,” she admitted to The Sun. “René prepared me for every aspect of my life since I was 12 years old. I’ve never met another man, never kissed another man. He was my everything.”

Can Love Ever Be Replaced?

Celine’s love for René is as deep and unwavering as ever. “I miss him so much—my partner, the man I held, kissed, and made love with. My worries, my dreams—they all belonged to him,” she revealed. When asked if she could ever imagine moving on, Celine was clear: “It’s definitely too soon for me. I’m still completely in love with René, still married to him in my heart.”

She added, “He’s the love of my life. It’s incredibly hard for me to picture myself with anyone else. The love I have for him, I live it every single day. As a woman, emotions ebb and flow, but they’re always tied to him.” Together, they created a beautiful family, including their son René-Charles Angélil, 17, and twins Eddy and Nelson Angélil, 7.

This story was written by Candice Mehta-Culjak and originally appeared on our sister site, Now to Love.