In a heartfelt revelation, Celine Dion opened up about how she explained her husband’s death to their children. Following the loss of René Angélil to cancer, Dion found a touching way to communicate the difficult news to their kids, René-Charles and twins Eddy and Nelson.
During an interview, she recounted her final moments with René, where she reassured him, “Don’t worry anymore. The kids are fine. I’m fine. I promise we will be okay.” René had battled cancer since 1999, going through a full recovery before the disease returned in 2013. By 2015, he was unable to speak or swallow, and he passed away in January 2016 at the age of 73.
To help her children cope with their loss, Dion referenced their beloved animated film, Up. “Before telling them that their dad was gone, I talked about sickness. I asked them, ‘Do you remember the movie Up?’ They immediately remembered Ellie and the balloons. I gently explained, ‘Today Papa went up,’” she shared.
To further ease their hearts, Dion took her sons outside to release balloons and “pixie dust” into the sky, saying, “We’re gonna say, ‘Papa, we love you. Have a good up.’” She emphasized that she wanted them to associate “up” with something positive and uplifting.
Navigating such profound loss with children is never easy, but Dion transformed a painful moment into something beautiful and reassuring. She provided a comforting narrative that helped her sons understand that their father was in a peaceful place, free from suffering. Even while grappling with her own grief, Dion showed remarkable strength for her children.
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In summary, Celine Dion’s heartfelt approach to explaining her husband’s death through the lens of a beloved movie showcases her dedication to providing comfort and understanding to her children during a difficult time.