Celine Dion with her husband Rene Angelil, who has died after a long battle with cancer. Photo / AP

Celine Dion's husband Rene Angelil has died at 73.

The singer released a statement to People magazine which read: "Rene Angelil, 73, passed away this morning as his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer.

"The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment; more details will be provided at a later time."

Angelil was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 1999 and it returned several times.

In March last year, a tearful Dion revealed her husband was no longer able to eat and was getting all of his meals through a tube.

She said: "He can't use his mouth. He can't eat so I feed him. He's got a feeding tube. I have to feed him three times a day. I do this myself. So I feed my husband, then I feed my kids."

By August, Dion said her husband's final wish was to be with the singer when he passed away.

Recalling their conversation, she said: "I'll say, 'You're scared? I understand. Talk to me about it.'

"And René says to me, 'I want to die in your arms.' OK, fine, I'll be there, you'll die in my arms'."

Celine took a break from her residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel and Casino returned to the stage on August 27 at her husband's insistence.

- Daily Mail

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