- Celine Dion faced immense loss when her niece died in a tragic road accident.
- Brigitte Dion, 51, was involved in a collision near her home, leaving Celine to cope with yet another family tragedy.
- Amidst her personal struggles and battles with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), Celine’s family and fans hope for her well-being.
Celine Dion has been keeping a low profile since she announced her Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) diagnosis in December 2022. In a post on Instagram, the singer said she’d been dealing with health problems for a long time.
She rescheduled her shows that were to take place in 2023 and 2024 to focus on her health and healing. The mom of three, René-Charles and twins Nelson and Eddy, promised her fans that she’d do her best to be back on stage again.
Celine Dion departs her hotel in New York City on March 8, 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Celine explained that she’d been experiencing spasms due to SPS, which impacted every area of her life, causing difficulties in walking and not allowing her to use her vocal codes as she used to. SPS is a complicated illness, as scientists and doctors don’t know its exact cause.
Furthermore, the illness is often misdiagnosed or overlooked until the symptoms are severe. When the disease is not recognized early, it can be severe, life-altering, and life-threatening. In August 2023, Celine’s sibling, Claudette Dion, said her sister was a strong woman who was doing everything to recover.
Still, Claudette admitted that since little is known about SPS, the singer’s family could not do much to support her or alleviate her pain. Ultimately, the family is hoping researchers will find a remedy for the dreadful illness.
Celine Dion and René Angélil during their wedding in Montreal, Canada on December 17, 1994. | Source: Getty Images
Celine’s life has been full of ups and downs as, over the years, she has lost loved ones. The singer’s niece recently died, her death marking the fifth loss in the family in eight years. In 2016, the Grammy winner lost her husband, René Angélil.
Celine Dion wipes away a tear at a ceremony honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California on January 6, 2004. | Source: Getty Images
The singer announced on her Facebook account that René died after a courageous battle against cancer. René, who died aged 73, had throat cancer. The family asked for privacy as they mourned him. Unfortunately, tragedy hit again when Celine’s brother, Daniel Dion, died two days after her husband’s death. Daniel died of cancer at age 59.
Daniel Dion attends Thérèse Tanguay-Dion autobiography launch in Montreal, Canada on November 7, 2006. | Source: Getty Images
He had cancer of the throat, tongue, and brain. Daniel was a musician with a great passion for music and made a career on record and stage with his sisters and brothers. The musician, who even went on tour with Celine, was described as happiest when making music. A press release from his publicist mourned him as a calm and reserved man with several talents.
Thérèse Tanguay-Dion with her family, including Daniel Dion (L), during the launch of her autobiography in Montreal, Canada on November 7, 2006. | Source: Getty Images
In 2016, Celine’s family dealt with another death of their loved one. Claudette had previously shared the news that their sister Liette Dion’s husband, Guy Poirier, was at a care home being treated for cancer, which had spread to his lungs, brains, and bones.
Celine Dion speaking at Sainte-Justine Children’s Hospital in Montreal, Canada, on December 18, 2002. | Source: Getty Images
Claudette noted that Guy was conscious and being taken care of by good people at Maison Adhemar-Dion. Guy later passed away in August 2016. Maison Adhemar-Dion, the palliative care facility Guy was in, is located in a suburb outside of Montreal in Quebec, Canada, and was named after Celine’s dad, Adhemar Dion, who died from bone cancer in 2003.
Celine Dion at the TV show “Campus” hosted by Guillaume Durand in Las Vegas, on September 15, 2004. | Source: Getty Images
Adhemar, who was 80 at the time of his death, died in his sleep at his home in Laval, surrounded by family. Celine Dion wasn’t present when his father died as she was in the middle of a long-term contract to perform in Las Vegas.
Celine Dion leaves a church following a funeral service for Adhemar Dion in Charlemagne, near Montreal, on December 4, 2003. | Source: Getty Images
Celine also lost her mom in 2020. Thérèse Tanguay-Dion was 92 at the time of her death, and she passed away surrounded by her family and friends after months of battling serious health issues. Thérèse and Adhemar had 14 children, including Celine.
Celine Dion celebrates her 26th birthday with Thérèse Tanguay-Dion and Adhemar Dion in her restaurant “Nickel’s” in Montreal, Canada, on March 7, 1994. | Source: Getty Images
The singer was on her “Courage World Tour” when her mom died. She shared on her Instagram that she would continue with the show in honor of her mother. Celine wrote in English and French, “Maman, we love you so much. We dedicate tonight’s show to you and I’ll sing to you with all my heart. Love, Céline xx.”
