Celine Dion Mourning The Passing Of Her Husband And Brother

Celine Dion has experienced a week were cancer has taken two of her love ones. Celine Dion, 47-year-old, lost her husband Rene Angelil, 73-year-old, to throat cancer on Thursday. Rene also acted in the role of Celine Dion’s manager. As Dion took time to mourn her husband’s death and arrange his funeral, within two days, her brother, Daniel Dion, 59-year-old, succumbed to a similar form of cancer.

According to AJC Angelil was Celine Dion manager for decades, and the couple were constantly seen together. Angelil was a huge part of molding Dion and a huge part of her international success. Angelil’s final wishes were to have his funeral at the same church where he wed Dion. The funeral for Angelil is scheduled for Friday at Montreal’s Notre Dame Basilica, the same church the two were married in 1994. There will be a wake held on Thursday allowing the public to pay their respects.

A representative of AEG made the following statement after the passing of Angelil

“We are heartbroken to hear this news, not only because René was a great friend and mentor and an extraordinary partner with us in these shows at Caesars Palace for the last 13 years, but even more because he and Celine were so devoted to each other; their relationship has been a model for us all.”

Celine Dion canceled her Las Vegas shows following Angelil’s death, and has been scheduled to return to The Colosseum on February 23. There has been no word regarding if more time will be taken after the death of her brother. Celine Dion is close with all 13 of her siblings, so losing her brother just days after her husband has been devastating.

Another tragedy for @celinedion this week as she loses her brother to cancer. https://t.co/IkW5ncjam1 pic.twitter.com/mCbcJTBAJi

— CNN (@CNN) January 16, 2016

According to the obituary, Daniel’s tribute will take place on Saturday, January 23, at Salon Charles Rajotte in Repentigny. A religious funeral will also take place at St-Simon-et-Jude, in Charlemagne, Québec, where the family was raised. Celine Dion and her siblings have always enjoyed a tight relationship and have always been a close knitted family. The Dion family has once formed a singing group called the Dion Family. When Celine was just an infant the family would tour Canada. This appears to have been a big part of the foundation that their relationship is built on. Before Daniel passed, the family gathered at the hospital at Daniel’s side, which included their 88-year-old mother.

Not much has been said by Dion since her brother passed. Even when word came of this illness taking a turn for the worse, there were no comments made by Celine, she did however request privacy while she and her family grieve their losses.

Celine Dion has always taken the news of her husband illness hard, but the strength he displayed was enough to keep her going.

“When you see someone who is fighting so hard, it has a big impact on you. You have two choices. You look at your husband who’s very sick and you can’t help, and it kills you. Or you look at your husband that’s sick and you say, ‘I got you. I got it. I’m here. It’s going to be just fine.'”

Best wishes go out to Celine Dion as she goes through this difficult time.

[Image by Ethan Miller/ Getty Images]