Celine Dion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Céline Dion CC OQ
Dion in 2012
Born	Céline Marie Claudette Dion (1968-03-30) 30 March 1968 (age 57) Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada
Occupation	Singer actress entrepreneur philanthropist
Years active	1980–present
Works	Albums singles songs videography performances
Spouse(s)	René Angélil ​ ​ (m. 1994; died 2016)​
Children	3
Parents	Adhémar Dion (father) Thérèse Tanguay Dion (mother)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop chanson soft rock
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	CBS Epic Columbia 550 Legacy
Signature

Céline Marie Claudette Dion (born March 30, 1968) is a famous Canadian singer. Many call her the "Queen of Power Ballads" because of her strong voice. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide. This makes her the best-selling Canadian artist and the best-selling French-language artist ever. She is also one of the top-selling music artists of all time.

Céline grew up in a big family in Charlemagne, Quebec. Her future manager and husband, René Angélil, discovered her. She became a teen star in Canada in the 1980s with many French albums. She became famous around the world after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 for Switzerland.

Céline has released many English albums. Some of her most popular albums are The Colour of My Love (1993), Falling into You (1996), Let's Talk About Love (1997), and All the Way... A Decade of Song (1999). These are some of the best-selling albums ever. Her hit songs include "Beauty and the Beast", "The Power of Love", "Because You Loved Me", and "My Heart Will Go On". "My Heart Will Go On" was the theme song for the 1997 movie Titanic. It is the second best-selling single by a woman in history.

Céline also kept releasing French albums. D'eux (1995) became the best-selling French-language album ever. In the 2000s, she became known for her amazing live shows. Her show A New Day... in Las Vegas (2003–2007) was the highest-earning concert residency of all time. Her Taking Chances World Tour (2008–2009) was one of the highest-earning tours of that decade. In 2022, Céline had to cancel her tour because she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare muscle condition.

Céline has won many awards, including 5 Grammy Awards and 20 Juno Awards. She is one of the highest-earning touring artists ever. She is also the second woman to earn over $1 billion from concerts.

Her Early Life and Career Beginnings

Growing Up in Quebec

Dion in 1986

Céline Dion was born on March 30, 1968, in Charlemagne, Quebec. This town is about 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Montreal. She was the youngest of 14 children. Her mother, Thérèse, was a homemaker, and her father, Adhémar, was a butcher. Both had French backgrounds.

Céline grew up in a happy but not wealthy home. Music was always a big part of her family's life. She was named after a French song called "Céline." When she was five, she sang publicly for the first time at her brother's wedding. She often performed with her siblings at her parents' small piano bar.

Discovering Her Talent

When Céline was 12, she wrote her first song, "Ce n'était qu'un rêve" (meaning "It Was Only a Dream"), with her mother and brother. Her brother sent the song to music manager René Angélil. René was very impressed by her voice and decided to help her become a star.

In 1981, René mortgaged his home to pay for her first record, La voix du bon Dieu. This album became a number one hit in Quebec. Her fame grew when she won awards at the 1982 Yamaha World Popular Song Festival in Tokyo. By 1983, she was the first Canadian artist to get a gold record in France.

International Recognition and Changes

Céline gained more international fame when she won the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland. She was 18 when she saw a Michael Jackson performance. She told René she wanted to be a star like him. René knew her image needed to change for her to become famous worldwide.

She took a break from the spotlight for several months. During this time, she had dental surgery to improve her smile. She also went to school to learn English. In 1989, she hurt her voice during a concert. She chose to rest her vocal cords for three weeks and had vocal training.

Her Rise to Global Stardom

English Debut and Disney Success

Two years after learning English, Céline released her first English album, Unison (1990). This album had a soft rock sound and was well-received by critics. The song "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" became her first top-ten hit in the U.S.

Her big international breakthrough came when she sang a duet with Peabo Bryson. It was the title song for Disney's animated movie Beauty and the Beast (1991). This song became a top-ten hit in the UK and the US. It also won an Academy Award for Best Song and a Grammy Award for Céline.

The Colour of My Love and Marriage

In 1993, Céline shared her feelings for her manager, René. She called him "the colour of [her] love" in her album The Colour of My Love. Fans loved the couple, and they got married in a grand ceremony on December 17, 1994. It was even shown live on Canadian television.

The Colour of My Love became her most successful album at that time. It sold millions of copies and reached number one in many countries. The song "The Power of Love" became a huge hit for her.

French Album Success and Global Fame

Céline always stayed true to her French roots. She released many French albums between her English ones. In 1995, she released D'eux (also known as The French Album). This album became the best-selling French-language album of all time. It had popular songs like "Pour que tu m'aimes encore".

By the mid-1990s, Céline was one of the best-selling artists in the world. Her songs often featured dramatic soft rock ballads. In 1996, she won the World Music Award for "World's Best-selling Female Recording Artist of the Year" for the third time.

Iconic Albums and Titanic Theme

Falling into You and Let's Talk About Love

Falling into You (1996) showed Céline at the peak of her fame. The album mixed different sounds like orchestral music and African chanting. It included hit songs like "Because You Loved Me" and "It's All Coming Back to Me Now".

This album was a huge success, topping charts in many countries. It became one of the best-selling albums ever. It also won Grammy Awards for Best Pop Album and Album of the Year. In 1996, she sang "The Power of the Dream" at the 1996 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

She followed this with Let's Talk About Love (1997). This album featured special guests like Barbra Streisand and the Bee Gees. It quickly became her fastest-selling album.

"My Heart Will Go On" and End of the Decade

The most famous song from Let's Talk About Love was "My Heart Will Go On". This song was the love theme for the 1997 blockbuster movie Titanic. It became Céline's signature song and topped charts worldwide. It also won two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year.

Céline ended the 1990s with more successful albums. These included a Christmas album, These Are Special Times (1998), and a greatest hits album, All the Way... A Decade of Song (1999). By the end of the 1990s, she had sold over 130 million records. She was recognized as one of the biggest pop stars.

Taking a Break and Returning to Music

Time Off and Motherhood

After releasing many albums in the 1990s, Céline decided to take a break. She wanted to spend more time with her family. Her husband, René, was also diagnosed with cancer, which made her decision even more important.

During her break, she had fertility treatments. On January 25, 2001, she gave birth to her son, René-Charles. After the 11 September attacks, Céline returned to music. She sang "God Bless America" at a benefit concert.

A New Day Has Come and Las Vegas Residency

Céline ended her three-year break with the album A New Day Has Come (2002). This album was very personal, with songs about motherhood. It debuted at number one in over 17 countries. The song "A New Day Has Come" spent 21 weeks at number one on the Adult Contemporary charts.

In 2003, Céline started a special show in Las Vegas called A New Day.... She performed five nights a week in a theater built just for her. This show was very popular and sold out regularly until it ended in 2007. It earned over $385 million, making it the most successful residency ever.

New Music and Tours

Taking Chances and World Tour

In 2007, Céline released the French album D'elles, which topped the charts in Canada, France, and Belgium. Later that year, she released her English album Taking Chances. This album featured pop, R&B, and rock music.

She then started her year-long Taking Chances World Tour in 2008. She performed 132 shows across five continents. This tour was a huge success, selling out concerts in the U.S. and Canada. By 2009, she was the highest-earning solo live music artist in North America for the decade.

Documentary and Return to Las Vegas

In 2010, a documentary film about her Taking Chances Tour was released. It was called Celine: Through the Eyes of the World. It showed behind-the-scenes moments of her life on and off stage.

In 2011, Céline returned to Caesars Palace for another Las Vegas residency called Celine. This show featured many of her popular songs and music from classic Hollywood films. This residency was also very successful.

Family Challenges and New Beginnings

Husband's Passing and Return to Stage

In 2014, Céline announced she was postponing her shows because her husband, René, was very ill with cancer. She returned to the stage in August 2015. Sadly, René passed away on January 14, 2016, at age 73. Two days later, her brother Daniel also died from cancer.

Céline returned to her Las Vegas residency in February 2016. She received great support from her fans.

New Albums and Tours

In 2016, Céline released a new French single, "Encore un soir". She also performed a cover of Queen's "The Show Must Go On" at the Billboard Music Awards. She received the Billboard Icon Award for her long career.

Her French album, Encore un soir, was released in August 2016. It topped charts in France, Canada, and other countries. She also toured Europe and Canada in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, she recorded "How Does a Moment Last Forever" for the Beauty and the Beast movie soundtrack.

Courage Album and World Tour

In 2018, Céline released the song "Ashes" from the movie Deadpool 2. She also toured the Asia-Pacific region. In September 2018, she announced her Las Vegas residency would end in June 2019.

She then started working on a new English album. In April 2019, she announced her Courage World Tour and a new English album called Courage. The album was released in November 2019 and became her first number-one album in the US in 17 years. The tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in 2021.

Health Challenges and Recent Activities

Stiff-Person Syndrome Diagnosis

In January 2022, Céline canceled her North American tour dates due to severe muscle spasms. On December 8, 2022, she shared that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome. This is a rare neurological disease that affects her muscles and vocal cords. Because of this, all her tour dates were canceled.

In June 2024, Céline shared more about her health journey. She explained that she had been dealing with mysterious symptoms for 17 years before her diagnosis. She is now working with doctors and experts to manage her condition. She has said her voice is being "rebuilt" and she hopes to return to performing.

Acting Debut and Olympic Performance

In 2023, Céline starred as herself in the movie Love Again. This was her first acting role in a feature film. She also recorded five new songs for the movie's soundtrack.

On July 26, 2024, Céline sang "Hymne à l’amour" from the Eiffel Tower. This performance concluded the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Paris. It was her first public performance in four years. Many people praised her return to the stage.

In November 2024, Céline walked the runway at a fashion show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She also performed "I'm Alive" and "The Power of Love" at the event.

Her Musical Style and Voice

Musical Influences

Céline has been inspired by many artists. These include Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, and Whitney Houston. She even got to work with many of them later in her career. Michael Jackson especially motivated her to learn English.

Her music includes different styles like pop, rock, R&B, and soul. Her songs often talk about love and romance. After her first child was born, her music also focused more on a mother's love.

Her Powerful Voice

Céline is known for her amazing vocal skills. Critics have described her voice as powerful and precise. She can sing very high notes clearly and hold them for a long time. Her voice has been called "extra-human" and "a technical marvel."

She often sings with a strong Quebec French accent. While some critics have said her English songs can be too emotional, her French songs are often seen as deeper and more varied. Céline has sung in many languages, including Japanese, Italian, German, and Spanish.

Her Impact and Achievements

Legacy in Music and Las Vegas

Dion's stars on Canada's Walk of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Céline Dion is famous for bringing French music to many countries around the world. She is also credited with changing the entertainment scene in Las Vegas. Her successful shows there made her known as the "Queen of Las Vegas."

She has also been praised for her fashion style. Vogue magazine called her one of music's most exciting dressers. Many new artists look up to Céline as an influence. Producers like Randy Jackson have called her, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey the most important voices of the modern era.

Awards and Records

Dion's 2024 Summer Olympics performance projected at the Arc de Triomphe

Céline has won hundreds of awards. She has seven American Music Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, five Grammy Awards, and twenty Juno Awards. She holds the Guinness World Record for the most Juno Awards won for Album Of The Year.

She is the best-selling Canadian artist and the best-selling French-language artist ever. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide. Seven of her albums have each sold over 10 million copies. Her song "My Heart Will Go On" is the second best-selling female single in history.

Céline has earned over $1.35 billion from her concert tours and residencies. This makes her the second woman to earn over $1 billion from concerts. Forbes magazine has named her the highest-paid female musician four times.

Other Activities

Business Ventures

Céline Dion and her late husband, René Angélil, owned a company called Les Productions Feeling Inc. This company managed artists. Céline also started a restaurant chain called Nickels in 1990, but she is no longer involved with it.

In 2003, Céline partnered with Coty to release her own line of perfumes, Celine Dion Parfums. These perfumes have sold over $850 million. In 2004, she was part of a promotional campaign for Air Canada.

Helping Others

Céline has always supported many charity organizations. She has been a big supporter of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) since 1982. Her niece passed away from this disease, which made it very personal for Céline.

In 2003, she joined other celebrities to support "World Children's Day." This effort raised money for orphanages and children's health groups. She has also donated money to victims of natural disasters, like Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 Asian tsunami. In 2018, she launched a clothing line for kids called Celinununu, which is gender-neutral.

Her Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Céline first met René Angélil in 1980 when she was 12 and he was 38. He became her manager and helped her become a star. Their professional relationship later turned romantic. They kept their relationship a secret for five years.

Céline and René got engaged on her 25th birthday in 1993. They made their relationship public in her album notes. They married in 1994. In May 2000, Céline had operations to help her have children. Their first son, René-Charles, was born on January 25, 2001.

In May 2010, Céline announced she was pregnant with twins. On October 23, 2010, she gave birth to twin boys, Eddy and Nelson. Sadly, René passed away from throat cancer on January 14, 2016. His funeral was held in Montreal where they had married. Two days later, Céline's brother Daniel also passed away from cancer.

Health and Well-being

Dion performing in Birmingham in 2017

Céline has faced rumors about eating disorders because of her slim build, but she has always denied them. She says her work requires her to be in great physical shape. She has also talked about being bullied in school and not feeling confident when she was younger.

She has taken up ballet and enjoys skiing. In December 2022, she shared her diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects her muscles. She is now focusing on her health and treatment.

Discography

Concert Tours and Residencies

Tours

Residencies

• A New Day... (2003–2007)
• Celine (2011–2019)

Filmography

• Touched by an Angel
• The Nanny
• All My Children
• La fureur de Céline
• Des fleurs sur la neige
• Quest for Camelot as Juliana (singing voice)
• Behind the Music
• Céline sur les Plaines
• Celine: Through the Eyes of the World
• Sur la piste du Marsupilami
• Hell's Kitchen
• Muppets Most Wanted
• Love Again

See also

In Spanish: Céline Dion para niños

• List of music artists by net worth