Céline Dion marked the ninth anniversary of her husband René Angélil's death on Tuesday with a heartfelt tribute shared alongside a rare family photo of herself and their three sons. Angélil, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 73 following a battle with throat cancer, was both Dion's greatest supporter and the love of her life.
"René, we can't believe you've been gone nine years already," Dion wrote in an Instagram post. "Not a day goes by that we don't feel your presence, RC, Eddy, Nelson and I. 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."
In the accompanying photo, the 56-year-old Grammy-winning singer sat on an outdoor couch, wearing a cream turtleneck and matching sweatpants, flanked by her sons: René-Charles, 23, and 14-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson. The family appeared close-knit, their tan and white outfits reflecting a sense of unity.
Dion first met Angélil when she was just 12 years old and he was 38, initially as her manager. Recalling their first meeting, Dion once shared with PEOPLE: "While I was singing he started to cry. I knew then I had done a good job." Angélil was so moved by her performance that he mortgaged his home to fund her debut album, La voix du bon Dieu, a success in Québec that launched her career.
The two eventually transitioned from a professional relationship to a romantic one, beginning to date when Dion turned 19. They kept their love private during her early career, with Dion later saying, "When I was at the age to be able to say to people ... It was like bang! Love! Love always wins."
In December 1994, Dion and Angélil married in a lavish ceremony at Montréal's Notre-Dame Basilica. Broadcast live on Canadian television, the event featured Dion in a stunning Mirella and Steve Gentile gown and a Swarovski crystal headdress.
The couple built a family together, welcoming René-Charles in 2001 and twins Eddy and Nelson in 2010 after six rounds of IVF and a miscarriage. Following Angélil's passing, René-Charles delivered an emotional eulogy at his father's funeral, saying, "As they grow older, without you being around, I'll make sure to pass on what I've learned from you. You are a tough act to follow, but with your help, everything's gonna be fine."
Dion has kept her children mostly out of the public eye, though René-Charles has followed in his parents' footsteps by releasing music on SoundCloud. Eddy and Nelson occasionally make appearances, including a notable photo with Mick Jagger shared by Dion in May 2024.
The singer herself has faced personal challenges in recent years, stepping back from the spotlight in 2021 due to a diagnosis of stiff person syndrome. Despite the hiatus, Dion made a triumphant return with a performance at the Paris Olympics in July 2024 and later at an Elie Saab fashion show.
Her enduring love for Angélil remains central to her life. In December, Dion commemorated what would have been their 30th wedding anniversary with a black-and-white wedding photo captioned, "You still fill our hearts, every day. You are everything for us. We miss you so much. Happy 30th anniversary, mon amour."
