Our hearts are with Céline Dion today.
The singer's husband, René Angélil, 73, has died after a long battle with cancer.
"Rene Angelil, 73, passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer," their rep said in a statement to People. "The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment; more details will be provided at a later time."
Angelil, who has battled three bouts of cancer since 1999, is survived by his three children with Dion: René-Charles, 14, and 5-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy, as well as his children from a previous marriage, Anne-Marie, Patrick and Jean-Pierre.
Dion first met Angelil when she was 12 and he was 38 at a private audition. She later recalled that her first performance brought him to tears. He became her manager shortly after and he famously mortgaged his home to fund her first record. The pair began their romantic relationship in 1987 when Celine was just 19 years old and they wed in December 1994 in Montreal.
The "My Heart Will Go On" singer, 47, has devoted herself to aiding her ailing husband and has expressed her will to maintain brave throughout his battle.
"You can have your shaking knees at the end, but when someone you love falls and needs help, it's not time to cry," she told USA Today in August. "Afterwards, sure. But not yet."
She also revealed her promise to keep Angélil's dying wish.
"I'll say, 'You're scared? I understand. Talk to me about it' ... And René says to me, 'I want to die in your arms.' Okay, fine, I'll be there, you'll die in my arms."
Our sincere condolence to the family
RIP : Rene Angelil .... the PICs
