Celine Dion is a pinnacle name when it comes to the music industry. Her unique vocal tone and impressive singing abilities catapulted her into a lifetime of fame and success, with a career spanning four decades. Dion’s musical style has grown over the years while still staying pretty consistent with the genres of pop, soft rock, chanson, and French songs that are lyrically driven.
Dion’s discography has shown the trials and tribulations of relationships, from the most beautiful love stories to the hardest moments of heartbreak. Facing some hardships herself, Dion has been able to immerse herself into her work and showcase genuineness through the lyrics and melodies. She had opened up to the public about her fertility challenges and was later blessed with three sons with her husband, Rene Angélil.
However, the entertainer faced one of the most devastating heartaches she ever had to deal with when Angélil, who had been married for 22 years, died in 2016.
The heartbreak Dion had to face when she lost her husband is something the singer has been struggling with since. Being in the spotlight for such a long time is sure to be taxing on anyone, especially someone who is already facing such hardship.
On Dec. 8, 2022, Dion shared the news that she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called stiff-person syndrome. She canceled her “Courage World Tour” which had her fans all around the world expressing their worry. Since then, Dion has been resting and recovering from her illness. However, Dion surprised everyone when she stepped out with her three sons to support a hockey team from her hometown. Her fans were happy to see her make the rare outing as they flooded the comments section of the Instagram post. Keep reading to get the details.
On Dec. 8, 2022, Dion went to Instagram to emotionally announce that she was rescheduling a tour, canceling several of its shows, due to a heartbreaking health diagnosis.
“Recently, I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome, which affects something like one in a million people. While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” the 54-year-old singer explained.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explained that people with SPS are often “too disabled to walk or move,” and loud sounds can “trigger spasms and falls.” The disorder affects twice as many women as men. The institute stated that scientists are still unsure what causes SPS, but “research indicates that it is the result of an autoimmune response gone awry in the brain and spinal cord.” According to Yale Medicine, there is no cure for SPS.
Despite the overwhelming information, Dion has not faltered in optimism and hope for the future.
“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children, who are supporting me and giving me hope. I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it’s been a struggle,” she assured her fans. “All I know is singing. It’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most.”
On May 26, 2023, Dion eventually canceled all remaining tours and concerts she had planned for 2023 and 2024 after initially rescheduling them. This caused more fans of hers and even other celebrities to become sad and more worried about her worrying health condition.
Despite all the saddening news, Dion has not given up on herself yet, as she is working hard at returning to the stage. Dion considers singing as her “life” and has expressed her longing for the audience and her fans.
Meanwhile, amid all the revelations about Dion and her health, the singer has been focusing on taking care of her children. Dion has three sons, Rene-Charles Dion Angélil, 22, born Jan. 25, 2001, and her 12-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson Angélil, born Oct. 23, 2010.
“Céline just loves her boys so much. They are amazing. They give her all the support and love that she needs,” a source mentioned, even saying that Dion considers them as “her light right now.”
In a 2017 interview, Dion revealed that she copes with the death of her late husband by dressing up each day and deriving strength from her sons.
“I still have my power; my husband gave me so [many] tools for the rest of my life,” she said and added, “What makes me most proud is to be a mother. I have three magnificent kids, that through them, I see my husband and I have the strength today to keep dressing up.”
Dion, who doesn’t take motherhood for granted, also posted photos of her twin boys in October 2020 during their birthday. The mom of three captioned the images showing the twins when they were toddlers:
“Nelson and Eddy, you have been bringing so much joy, love, and laughter into our lives every single day for the past 10 years. You make me, your big brother and your Dad, who is for sure watching over you, so very proud. Happy birthday my beautiful boys! We love you so very much… – Mom, RC and Dad xx…🐾
Dion is different from most people when it comes to raising her boys. She shared her methods with CNN in a 2018 interview when she revealed that she is gender non-conforming with her kids. The singer recalled an instance when she took her twin boys to Disney Land, and they were more attracted to Minnie Mouse rather than Mickey Mouse.
“I thought they were going to go for the big superheroes. They were looking at princesses. And they all wanted to be Minnie Mouse,” she revealed.
In accordance with her values, the five-time Grammy winner launched a gender-neutral children’s clothesline together with NUNUNU.
“It’s about giving them freedom. Freedom of expression. Getting away from stereotype. Giving them the opportunity, before they speak, they already have a voice,” the designer said of her brand.
Her quest for freedom made her take a break from staying away from the spotlight. On Oct. 30, 2023, Dion and her three sons, René-Charles, 22, and twin boys Nelson and Eddy, 13, all showed up at a hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas.
After the game, which ended with the Montreal Canadiens losing 3-2, the singer and her sons went into the locker room of the Montreal Canadiens and took some pictures with them. The event was one of the few outings she has made since she shared the news of her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.
Dion met the coach, who recalled the time she sang for the Pope. She also took a few pictures, which she posted on Instagram.
“My boys and I had such a fun time visiting with the Montreal Canadiens after their hockey game with Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas Monday night,” she captioned the post.
Are you a fan of Céline Dion? What can you say about her health condition? Do you think she will recover soon? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Céline Dion fans out there!
