Rene Angelil Dead: Celine Dion's Husband Dies at 73

by By Esther Lee, USmagazine.com

Rene Angelil Credit: Thomas SAMSON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

René Angélil, musician and husband of worldwide singing sensation Celine Dion, died on Thursday, January 14, after battling throat cancer, his rep confirms to Us Weekly. He was 73.

"René Angélil, 73, passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer," the statement to Us read. "The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment; more details will be provided at a later time."

The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner also released a separate statement to Us Weekly regarding Angélil's death. "Mr. Angélil, 73, died of throat cancer at his home in Henderson while under the care of a physician," Clark County coroner John Fudenberg said in a statement. "We have determined Mr. Angélil’s death was due to natural causes. No further investigation into his death is expected. Our condolences go out to Mr. Angélil’s family and friends during this difficult time for them."

Rene Angélil and Celine Dion
Rene Angélil and Celine Dion during the 44th Grammy Awards in 2002. KMazur/WireImage

Angélil was born and raised in Montreal and embarked there on a music career in the 1960s. Eventually, he went into the artist management side of the business and became Dion's manager. The French-Canadian couple married in 1994, a few years before Dion cemented her legendary status with her biggest, most iconic song, "My Heart Will Go On,” which was featured in James Cameron's Oscar-winning flick, Titanic.

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