Celine Dion pays heart-breaking tribute to ailing husband Rene Angelil

At the request of her ailing husband Rene Angelil, Celine Dion returned to her Las Vegas residency last month after over a year’s absence.
But the superstar singer’s thoughts have never been far from the 74-year-old, who is battling throat cancer for the third time.

In a heart-breaking tribute to her husband of 20 years, Celine sang The First Time I Ever I Saw Your face, as home videos of her family played in the background.

Rene can be seen giving a tender wave in one clip, which appeared to be recent, while another showed him communicating with giggling son Nelson using his hands.

The former manager has battled three bouts of cancer, and is unable to speak due to extensive surgery on his throat.

During the show, the crowd cheered whenever Celine’s husband could be seen on the large screen behind her.

    Before she started singing, the 47-year-old told the audience: ‘I hope that by now you have got the message that tonight’s show is very, very personal to me.’

Celine revealed last month that Rene’s final wish is to be with her when he passes away.

    ‘René says to me, ”I want to die in your arms.” OK, fine, I’ll be there, you’ll die in my arms,’ she shared to USA Today.

The My Heart Will Go On hit-maker also said that Rene had encouraged her to return to her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

    ‘I didn’t want to be here at first, I don’t need it,’ Celine explained. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I love singing for people, but I have priorities. But Rene really gave me a gift.’

According to the National Enquirer, Celine was hoping that Rene would be able to sit front row when she returned on August 27, but he was not well enough.

Instead, he watched the concert on a live feed in the couple’s Nevada home.

Celine and Rene met when she was 12 and she describes him as ‘the only boyfriend I’ve ever had’.

The couple, who are 26 years apart in age, have been happily married since 1994 and are parents to three sons – 14-year-old Rene-Charles and four-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson.

Instead, he watched the concert on a live feed in the couple’s Nevada home.

Celine and Rene met when she was 12 and she describes him as ‘the only boyfriend I’ve ever had’.

The couple, who are 26 years apart in age, have been happily married since 1994 and are parents to three sons – 14-year-old Rene-Charles and four-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson.