Céline Dion Faces First Christmas Without René Angélil
Céline Dion is preparing for her first Christmas without her husband, René Angélil, who passed away earlier this year. The “My Heart Will Go On” singer, 48, plans to focus on peace with her three children, rather than dwelling on their loss.
“I can’t live my life saying, ‘I lost my husband, and my children have no father,’” Dion said. “I have to stand tall and strong. That’s how I live: stay positive, pick your battles, do your best, and live for today. Remember, nothing is perfect, and not everything you want will happen.”
Keeping Family Traditions Alive
Dion believes Angélil’s spirit will be with them during the holidays. She and her children will continue their tradition of skiing, a family activity they enjoyed until Angélil became too ill to join them last year.
“He brought magic to the snow and mountains,” Dion shared. “Every time we ski, we feel his presence. My children think about him, and when I ride the lift, I feel closer to him.”
René Angélil passed away in January at 73 after a long battle with throat cancer. He is survived by Dion and their three children—René-Charles, 14, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 6—as well as his adult children from previous marriages.
Reflecting on Their Life Together
In a recent interview, Dion revealed that Angélil was the only man she ever kissed. They met when she was just 12 years old in 1980, after she submitted a demo tape of a song she wrote with her mother. Angélil, then a talent manager, was so impressed that he signed her, even mortgaging his home to fund her debut album La Voix Du Bon Dieu. Their professional relationship turned romantic in 1987, and they married in a lavish ceremony in Montreal in 1994.
As the anniversary of his passing approaches, Dion feels a mix of emotions. “I can’t believe it’s been a year since he passed. I’m not ready. It’s bittersweet, but we need to make the holidays happy.”
Finding Peace During the Holidays
Dion mentioned that her twin sons will ski for the first time this year. “This trip isn’t about partying. It’s about finding peace with myself and my children, and enjoying simple things like eating and playing games like Monopoly or the telephone game.”
After the holidays, Dion plans to return to her Las Vegas residency on January 17.
