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Celine Dion marked a poignant milestone on Tuesday by sharing a rare photo with her three sons in honor of the ninth anniversary of her husband René Angélil's death. "René, we can't believe you've been gone nine years already. Not a day goes by that we don't feel your presence, RC, Eddy, Nelson and I," Dion, 56, wrote in an emotional Instagram post.
"You were my greatest champion, my partner, and the one who always saw the best in me. I honor you, and you are forever missed, *mon amour*…. We love you," she added.
The accompanying photo captured the Grammy-winning artist cuddling with her children — René-Charles, 23, and 14-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson — on a cozy outdoor couch. The family coordinated in neutral tones, with Dion dressed in a cream turtleneck and matching sweats, while her sons opted for tan and white ensembles.
Dion's husband, René Angélil, passed away from throat cancer in January 2016 at the age of 73. The couple shared a remarkable love story that spanned decades, having married in December 1994 after meeting when Dion was just 12 years old. Angélil, her manager and mentor, played a pivotal role in launching her career.
The couple welcomed their first son, René-Charles, in January 2001. Nine years later, after six rounds of IVF and a heartbreaking miscarriage, they celebrated the arrival of their twins, Eddy and Nelson, in October 2010.
René-Charles, the eldest of the family, delivered a touching eulogy at his father's funeral in 2016. He assured mourners that he had "enough good memories" to share with his younger siblings, a sentiment that continues to resonate as the family keeps Angélil's legacy alive.
Fans were moved by Dion's heartfelt tribute and expressed their love and support in the comments. Many praised her strength as a mother and her dedication to honoring her late husband's memory. "Can't believe how grown the boy's are. Rene would be proud," a fan wrote. A second added: "Your Courage has always been an inspiration to everyone. You have successfully cared for your children. Rene will proud of you! ❤️"
"René is always looking at you all wonderful humans from above and making sure you're all happy! 🥹❤️," a third added.
Celine Dion is battling Stiff-Person Syndrome for her sons
During the summer of 2024, Dion opened up about her Stiff-Person Syndrome, a diagnosis that has greatly affected her personal and professional life. In an interview, Dion discussed the pivotal role that her sons have played in her recovery.
“I barely could walk at one point, and I was missing very much living. My kids started to notice. I was like, ‘OK, they already lost a parent. I don’t want them to be scared,’” said Dion in an interview with People. “I let them know, ‘You lost your dad, [but] mom has a condition and it’s different. I’m not going to die. It’s something that I’m going to learn to live with.”
On June 25, Dion premiered “I Am: Celine Dion,” a documentary exploring her health struggles and her journey towards recovery and returning to stages. “I did not take the time — I should have stopped, take the time to figure it out,” she said in the show. “My husband as well was fighting for his own life. I had to raise my kids, I had to hide. I had to try to be a hero.”