Céline Dion Shares How Late Husband René Angélil Accompanies Her to Treatments: ‘I’m Still Married’

It has been nearly eight years since Céline Dion lost her beloved husband and longtime manager, René Angélil, to cancer, but his presence still fills her life. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the iconic singer opens up about how Angélil continues to accompany her on her journey, particularly during her ongoing battle with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare neurological disorder.

Dion, 56, reflects on how deeply Angélil’s memory remains a part of her daily life and heart. “I’m still married to René,” she says. “He’s still my husband. When we have to travel to my treatments to see my doctors, I always bring pictures of him.”

The My Heart Will Go On singer shares that Angélil’s spirit has always been a source of comfort, especially for her and their children. Even when Angélil was alive but gravely ill, their family found ways to keep him present. She recalls a touching memory of their children talking to their father while he was bedridden. “Even when they were very small, even when he was still with us in his bed, they would tell him, ‘Dad, we’re going to be watching Ratatouille tonight, so I hope you like it.’ They were talking to him, and they kiss the pictures.”

Following her SPS diagnosis in August 2022, Dion has undergone extensive treatment, including rehabilitation therapy five days a week. Despite the intensity of her health struggles, she finds solace in the sense that Angélil remains by her side. As she packs for her medical trips, her children often ask, “Did you bring Papa’s pictures?” Dion always replies, “Yes, I have Papa’s pictures!”

Dion’s devotion to Angélil is palpable. “He’s their dad, and he’s my husband, and he will always be,” she says. His influence, support, and love continue to guide the family, providing a source of strength through the most challenging moments.

Her openness during this time extends even beyond her personal reflections. While documenting her health journey, Dion granted her team unprecedented access to her life, allowing them to film her and her three sons without restriction. “I didn’t want for Irene [the filmmaker] to ask me if she was allowed to capture this or that,” she says. “I was like, ‘I want you and your team, if you’re in the home of my three boys, and my dog, and myself, and my condition and my fight… I give you the OK for you to not ask.’”

Céline Dion’s enduring love for René Angélil is a testament to their unbreakable bond. Even as she faces her toughest battles, Angélil’s presence continues to light the way forward, making him a part of every step of her life, forever.