Celine Dion is performing to sold out houses in Las Vegas, raising her sons, René-Charles, 17, and twins Eddy and Nelson, seven, and still processing the death of her husband René Angélil. René died two years ago from throat cancer. It seems that before he passed, he was very concerned that Celine move forward for both herself and their boys. Something she said she is trying to do every day while keeping him in her heart. According to a new interview with Australia’s Stellar Magazine, Celine has had a bronze cast made of René’s hand, which she shakes before every performance.
It’s been two years since René Angélil passed away, but for Céline Dion, her late husband is always with her.
“I shake my husband’s hand and knock on wood with him every night before every show,” Dion explained. “Even after he’s gone, I still talk to him.”
“My husband wanted me to go back onstage before he passed, that’s what he wanted the most,” Dion said. “So I went back onstage while he was still alive; he wanted to make sure I could keep going. So I did prove to him yes, I could keep going. I told him I’ve got the kids and that he’s got to trust me, he’s got to relax.”
“He taught me so much. He did a great job; what he had been giving to me all his life and all my life will always be with me,” Dion shared. “He gave me his all. He mortgaged his house to pay for my first album. I guess before he left he wanted to make sure I was fine. I’m trying to prove to him every day I’m fine. Our kids are growing, we feel strong. We’re good.”
God forbid I suffer a life-threatening illness, but I would do the same thing René did in trying to ready my family for my absence. I’ve already jotted down important information and told my husband and parents where to find it just in case I get hit by a bus.
I think this touches on a huge part of Celine and René’s relationship, which is not only a large age difference but the age at which they got together. René was 38 and Celine was 12 when he began managing her career. They started dating when she was 19. Celine was dependent on René as a father figure for most of her life. He took care of everything as her manager and I am sure that was true in their home life. So, I believe he was worried how she would handle taking over the reins once he was gone. I also believe that she and the kids are fine. I’ll bet she didn’t know at some point if she could do it, only that she had to. And once she realized she could, she got stronger every day. As for René’s bronze hand, I have a bunch of talismans from people who have given me strength in my life, so I get it. But I have to wonder – what is it attached to?
Another subject on which Celine and I agree is age and fashion. She told Stellar re: her sudden surge as a fashionista, “It’s never too late to feel good about yourself. It’s fun, it makes you feel really sexy and there’s no age limit on that.” Sing it, Sister!
Photo credit: WENN Photos and Getty Images
Ugh they met when he was 38 and she was TWELVE? How had that passed me by? Now finding it hard to find any of their stories cute. Yuk yuk yuk.
What does the 17 year old think of all that I wonder?
Jesus Christ, that is problematic. She was 19 and he was 45 when they started dating?? Grooming for sure
Totally. I’ve always loved her but I find the white-washing of the age gap and the way he groomed her unacceptable.
It was all sorts of ik for me. Sorry he groomed her so he can keep her as a client. I do not feel warm and fuzzy over that relationship. I do wish her happiness.
I know. Classic predatory grooming.
She’s better off. There’s no way dude didn’t groom the crap out of her. She seemed to idolize him – which I mean, is sad. And the kids lost their dad. And it sucks that they have to go through loss – but I really can’t be bothered beyond that to feel sorry that he’s gone.
I think we are seeing the end result here. I don’t think she will ever remarry or find another love. I don’t think she will ever be the same.
Her entire life was shaped by him. Her only partner, in romance and in business. Her never gave her a chance to be by herself until he died.
I won’t force the label on her, but I will not label this some grand romance. I’ll listen, Celine, for you, but I sadly will not agree.
Bless her and all the pain she and her sons have gone through. But nothing about the architecture of their relationship was okay. I can’t imagine what it would be like to process the loss of someone who had spent most of your life making sure your world was no bigger than them.
This says what I wanted, better than I did.
I was always quasi quiet about her because people love her, and in the 90s, her music became so very popular, but her ‘love story’ made me quiz everyone. It all seemed so hypocritical, and I knew exactly what my family and friends would say had I dated my tennis coach, my piano teacher, my dance instructor, my gymnastics coach. Oh I get it now, singing is different. 😑
That’s a good point. Somehow they were able to make it seem okay. It’s funny (?) how that works for certain people and then others get a lot more scrutiny. Maybe now it would be different also – her songs were so big and majestic and her singing so praised perhaps that shielded her/them a bit.
He controlled every part of her life and career – he always creeped me out. I love her and her music and I hope that she and her sons find peace.
Their relationship WAS ‘a scandal’ when it first became known…
At least it was a scandal in Canada at the time.
The reason it wasn’t made into a ‘big deal’ is because apparently…. her parents were okay with it… So I guess that’s why it ‘got a pass’ although it DID raise a lot of eyebrows
When I was planning my trip to Quebec, I picked up a tourism book to help me along. The Cathedral that they were married in was in there (and they place was beautiful) and I remember when I go there there was a plaque of her in the awesome headdress and and simple explanation of why it was there. I did not know they their marriage was televised in Quebec. The whole thing was outrageously awesome. I mean, there was a whole section of a book about her as part of a tourist attraction.
That really is a grand cathedral isn’t it? I actually paid money to go in there and admire the architecture. She used to have a diner franchise in Quebec too. Nickels I believe. It reminds me of a more upscale Denny’s.
I know she loved him deeply (I mean was there a choice?) but I feel like she’s living her best life now that she’s widowed. Not controlled, doing awesome gigs and a rebirth as a fashionista … is it just me or is she shining even brighter now?
“Every day” in the title should be two words.
I never understood how so many people just shrugged their shoulders about the topic of this couple. He’s controlled her since she was a child, and if she’s shaking a cast of her dead husbands hand, and thinks she has to prove to him every day that she’s fine, he definitely has control of her
It was the same for my Dad when he was in the end stages of his battle with cancer. He kept trying to talk with me about what happens after he leaves and I refused. I refused to let him go, refused to let him talk. Then when I saw him getting weaker and he was telling me not to miss him and grieve too much I said, “Are you kidding? Mom and I are going to be mourning in Maui.” We laughed. A week later I drove him back to his home, he slept in his own home for 1 night then left us early in the morning.
It’s going on 3 years and I still miss him every day. My Mom still can’t get through holidays without crying.
Regardless of how people want to view their “love story” , I wish her peace.
I went on about the whole age/romance thing bc it really burns me up but decided against it. Instead i’ll Just go with this…
Be happy Céline.
I can’t believe it’s been two years already! My heart hurts for her, but I’m so proud of her for keeping her head up and staying busy. Maybe some day in the future she will find love again…although, I tend to wonder if she will be more like Betty White and not remarry.
I am really sad at how narrow-minded and judgmental people are about them. They seemed to be truly in love, truly in sync, and truly happy. Age is but a number. There is 18 years difference between my husband and I. It works because we have a lot in common and share the same values and interests. I am so sick and tired of bigotry and closed-mindedness. You knew nothing of their relationship. Just stop going on about it.