Celine Dion was married to René Angélil for 21 years before his sad passing in January 2016. A representative announced that the music manager died at his Las Vegas home after a “long and courageous battle against cancer.” He was 73 years old.
Celine Dion arriving for the state funeral service at Notre-Dame Basilica on January 22, 2016 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
Angélil left behind his five-time Grammy Award-winning wife, whom he married in December 1994, including the couple’s three children. Years later, Dion revealed her own health struggles.
Céline Dion René Angélil on their wedding day on December 17, 1994 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
In an emotional video shared on Instagram in December 2022, she disclosed her diagnosis of a rare neurological disorder called Stiff Person Syndrome. She announced the cancellation of her European tour due to her condition and expressed deep sadness over the decision.
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Following the loss of her long-time spouse and facing her illness, Dion has remained strong with the support of their three sons, René-Charles, and youngest twins Nelson and Eddy, 13. René-Charles is her eldest child and was born in January 2001.
Celine Dion and Rene Angelil during the 41st annual Labor Day Telethon on September 3, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
He has been in the public eye since infancy, always by his mother’s side. From being photographed as a baby and then as a teenager, to now being a young adult with a beard, here is René-Charles’s dramatic transformation that makes him look older than his age.
René-Charles at Six Months Old
René-Charles was baptized at six months old in July 2001 in Montreal, Quebec. He was photographed with his parents leaving the chapel of the Notre-Dame Basilica.
Celine Dion, Rene-Charles and Rene Angelil pictured leaving the chapel of the Notre-Dame Basilica on July 25, 200 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
At the time, the infant had a round face with soft, rosy cheeks and bright, curious eyes. His light brown hair was sparse and fine. He wore a simple, white baby outfit with delicate patterns.
Celine Dion, Rene-Charles and Rene Angelil at the chapel of the Notre-Dame Basilica on July 25, 200 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
Held lovingly by his world-famous mom Dion in the next image, he looked curious and content, perfectly capturing a tender moment between mother and son.
Celine Dion, Rene-Charles and Rene Angelil at the chapel of the Notre-Dame Basilica on July 25, 200 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at 15 Months Old
During a family outing in March 2002 in New York City, René-Charles was pictured with his mom and dad again. He wore a cozy, navy blue coat with a matching hat, keeping him warm in the chilly weather. His parents stood proudly beside him, reflecting their happiness and unity as a family.
Rene Angelil, Rene-Charles and Celine Dion photographed inside a vehicle on March 27, 2002 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
By September 2002, during a casual day out in Paris, René-Charles at 20 months old, had grown further. His light brown hair was slightly longer, framing his face more fully. His features were more pronounced, and his expressions showed curiosity and liveliness.
Rene Angelil, Rene-Charles and Celine Dion at the Pepsi Forum on September 26, 2002 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at Six Years Old
In March 2007, René-Charles was pictured with his mother at Disneyland. Dion stood beside her son, both looking delighted to be at the “Sleeping Beauty” castle.
Celine Dion and Rene-Charles pictured outside Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on March 21, 2007 in Anaheim, California. | Source: Getty Images
As a first-time parent, the “I’m Alive” hitmaker once gushed in an interview, “I love being a mom – it relaxes me to read stories to him, do finger painting, play with Play-Doh. I think people have a hard time imagining I can have a normal life, but I do.”
Celine Dion and Rene-Charles Angelil at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on December 15, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at Seven Years Old
A family outing in Paris in May 2008 saw René-Charles photographed with his parents leaving the Four Seasons George V hotel. René-Charles, who held his mother’s hand, had his long brown hair parted on the side.
Rene-Charles, Rene Angelil (at the back), and Celine Dion leave the Four Seasons George V hotel on May 20, 2008 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at Eight Years Old
In March 2009, René-Charles attended his father’s book launch in Montreal. He had long brown hair that framed his youthful face and his features had become more refined.
Rene-Charles at Rene Angelil’s book launch on March 2, 2009 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
By June 2009, René-Charles accompanied Angélil, to an event where he became an officer of the National Order. In this picture, René-Charles had shorter brown hair, neatly styled and his facial features showed further maturity.
Rene-Charles photographed on June 17, 2009 in Quebec, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at Nine Years Old
At age nine in 2010, René-Charles attended an premiere event with his parents. He still had short brown hair and his face had become fuller, showing signs of further growth and maturity. His confident demeanor reflected his comfortable presence at the event, highlighting his continued development and evolving style.
Rene Angelil, Rene-Charles Angelil and Celine Dion attend the premiere of “Celine: Through The Eyes of The World” on February 16, 2010 in Miami Beach, Florida. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at Ten Years Old
René-Charles and his siblings Nelson and Eddy accompanied their parents at Caesars Palace in February 2011. He still had brown hair which seemed shorter than the year prior.
Celine Dion, Nelson Angelil, Eddy Angelil, Rene Angelil, and Rene-Charles Angelil at Caesars Palace on February 16, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at 14 Years Old
At 14 years old, René-Charles mourned the death of his beloved father just a week before turning 15. He delivered a heart-wrenching eulogy, saying, “Fifteen years is not a long time for a son to get to know his father. […] You left me now with enough good memories of you to share with my younger brothers.”
Celine Dion and children Rene-Charles Angelil, Eddy Angelil and Nelson Angelil attend the state funeral service for Rene Angelil at Notre-Dame Basilica on January 22, 2016 in Montreal, Canada. | Source: Getty Images
René-Charles at 15 Years Old
Four months after his father’s funeral, René-Charles accompanied his award-winning mother to the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. The duo posed happily as the songstress held her trophy from the evening while her son sported a clean-shaven look with his hair sleeked back.
Celine Dion and Rene-Charles Angelil at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards on May 22, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
That same month, René-Charles was seen in Paris, showcasing his distinct and mature style. He wore glasses and his outfit included a gray t-shirt paired with red track pants as he strolled through the city.
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Handsome son,” penned one person. Another complimented him and his mom, saying, “She looks beautiful, and her son is so handsome.” Meanwhile, other people stated that Rene-Charles resembles his beloved father. “He looks so like his dad!” exclaimed one user. Another echoed, “[…] He looks a lot like his father.”
Rene-Charles Angelil and Céline Dion at the “I Am: Celine Dion” NY special event screening on June 17, 2024 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Celine Dion’s son has grown significantly since his childhood years. He now seems to opt for a more ragged appearance without his signature long hair.