Celine Dion’s husband dies at 73 after long battle with cancer

People magazine is reporting that Celine Dion’s husband, Rene Angelil, has died after a long battle with cancer.

Angelil had been sick with throat cancer for more than two years, and Dion said in an August USA Today interview that she was prepared for his death.

In 1980, Celine’s mother sent him an audio tape of her daughter, then 12 years of age.

(NEWS10) – Singer Celine Dion’s husband has died.

U.S. Senator Harry Reid on Nevada said the couple took a “risk on Las Vegas” in 2002 by committing to an extended show contract, a move he said was unprecedented for a star of her caliber at the time.

A post on Dion’s Facebook page confirmed the news. The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment.

December 17, 1994: Rene and Celine marry at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec.

It’s the end of the throat cancer battle for Rene Angelil.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada issued a statement saying he has always appreciated the couple’s support because they took a risk on Las Vegas when Dion began her residency in 2002 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

“The first (hand)shake I had with him I thought we decided we were going to be partners in the venture of taking Celine to the top…”

The Montreal Gazette says he mortgaged his house to finance her first album.

Speaking on CNN’s Larry King Live, Angélil said that the pair had fallen in love when Dion was representing Switzerland at the Eurovision song contest in Dublin in 1988.

“He’s been there for me all my life, and I’ve been there for him all my life”, she adds.

On the other hand, three years after their twins were conceived, in 2013, they were hit by more demolition when René found the growth had returned.

“When you see someone who is fighting so hard, it has a big impact on you”, she said at the time.