Celine Dion’s Brother Daniel Dies Just Two Days After Singer Loses Husband To Same Disease

As Celine Dion was grieving the loss of her husband René Angélil, she was informed that her brother Daniel only had a matter of hours to live. Daniel passed away just two days after Celine’s husband, leaving the singer grief-stricken as she struggles with the loss of two loved ones to the same diseases, throat cancer.

The Daily Mail reports that singer Celine Dion is dealing with the death of not one, but two family members in just two days as her 73-year-old husband René and 59-year-old brother Daniel both pass away from throat cancer. The Dion family says that they knew Daniel only had hours to live on Friday as they were still reeling from the passing of Celine’s husband René to the exact same disease. Both men passed away from complication due to terminal throat cancer.

Our condolences go out to @CelineDion, whose brother Daniel has died of cancer. https://t.co/tVDRKyVkR0 pic.twitter.com/OzsUwSn5sA

— EntertainmentTonight (@etnow) January 16, 2016

Celine first broke the news of her husband’s passing on Thursday noting that he had died after a battle with throat cancer. However, Saturday morning, the Dion family noted that the family’s grief was not over as Celine’s brother Daniel had also passed away following a battle with throat, tongue and brain cancer. According to the Montreal Gazette, sources close to the family say it has been “hard” on Celine to lose two loved ones in the same week. Celine is one of 14 children and was reportedly close to all of her siblings.

“They’re close, she’s close with all of her siblings. It’s hard.”

As Celine was planning her husband’s funeral in Las Vegas, she got word that her brother Daniel only had hours to live before learning he had passed away. However, family sources say Daniel was surrounded by loved ones when he finally passed Saturday morning. Celine, meanwhile, is still in Las Vegas with her children preparing her husband’s funeral arrangements while grieving the loss of her brother.

“Céline is still in Vegas with her kids making plans for [her husband’s] funeral. It’s a typical grieving process. There’s moments of shed tears, moments of memories and laughter. She’s grieving the loss of her husband.”

Dion has cancelled her Las Vegas shows and is slated to return to the stage on February 23. However, there is no word if the passing of her brother Daniel will affect those show dates. With so much grief, Dion may be ready to return to the stage to pay emotional tributes to the passing of those she loved. However, for the time being, Dion is working through the grief and preparing to lay to rest her husband.

Celine has scheduled husband René Angélil’s funeral for next Friday and is holding the service at the Notre Dame Basilica. The church was chosen as it is the same church the two were married in 1994. It is also noted that prior to the funeral service, a celebration of Angelil’s life will also be held on February 3 in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace Colosseum.

“According to his final wishes, his Funeral will be held at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, where 21 years ago, he chose to marry the one who will remain as the great love of his life, the artist for which he had the most respect, the woman who gave him light and happiness until his very last breath.”

Celine is requesting that those who wish to honor her late husband make contributions to the Azar-Angelil Research Chair for ORL Cancer. With both her brother and husband passing from throat cancer, it is likely we will see Celine pushing for research and monetary support for charities such as Azar-Angelil Research Chair for ORL Cancer.

[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]