Celine Dion Noticed Stiff-Person Syndrome Symptoms While Caring For Her Own Cancer-Stricken Husband

Celine Dion has been battling Stiff-Person Syndrome, a rare and debilitating neurological disorder, a condition that has significantly impacted her career and personal life. The singer has since been open up about her diagnosis, which she first disclosed to the public in December 2022 through an emotional Instagram video.

In a recent in-depth interview, the 56-year-old, who revealed that she had been aware of unusual symptoms in her body for more than a decade before receiving an accurate diagnosis, gave reasons why it took a long time for her to come clean about her condition to her fans.

Celine Dion says she ignored the symptoms of her disease for a long time to focus on her family

During a conversation with Hoda Kotb, Celine Dion opened up about her journey and struggles with her disease. She revealed that she had noticed the symptoms early on but initially dismissed them without seeking the necessary medical evaluation. Instead, she continued to push through her demanding schedule.

The singer shared that she first became aware of the symptoms while caring for her late husband, René Angélil, who was battling cancer then. At the same time, she was also responsible for raising their three children, René-Charles and twins Nelson and Eddy. She noted that despite the visible signs of the illness, she decided to overlook them and prioritized her family’s needs over her health.

Dion also told Kotb that when she eventually received her official diagnosis, she initially chose to keep it to herself for a while. However, as time passed, she felt an increasing urge to publicly share her reality. The singer explained that she grew weary of keeping it a secret and felt that not disclosing the news to her loyal fans was too great a deception.

She believed that her supporters, who had always stood by her, deserved to know the truth. For her, maintaining the secrecy felt like a heavy burden, and she ultimately decided that honesty was the best way to honor the bond she shared with her audience.