Céline Dion Is 'Most Proud' of Preparing Her Children to 'Live Without Réne's Presence'

Céline Dion and her three children are learning how to live without her late husband René Angélil, who died in January of throat cancer at the age of 74.

During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show airing Monday, the singer opened up about Angélil's death and raising their children without him.

"I feel extremely fortunate as a mother that – it's probably the thing I'm the most proud of – I prepared my children for how to live ... how to live with him without his presence," Dion, 48, told the talk show host.



Although it's been a tough year for the singer – just two days after her husband's passing, Dion also lost her brother, Daniel, to brain, throat and tongue cancer at age 59 – she admits that she and the children are doing great.

"It's part of our life and life has imposed this on him. That was his destiny and I still feel extremely fortunate that he has given me three magnificent children. Wonderful pieces of luggage," Dion says.

She continues, "And I'm well because he's not suffering anymore. Because the hardest thing is not to lose somebody you love but to see them suffer."

Dion revealed in July that she was working on new music, and she's keeping her husband's memory alive through her work.

An emotional ballad called "Recovering" written by Pink is dedicated to Angélil. Dion performed the song at the Stand Up 2 Cancer telethon on Saturday.

"I miss René every day and the loss will now be a part of my life," Dion said before her tearful performance, explaining how she also lost her father and brother to the disease.

The singer went on to reveal how "Recovering" found its way to her.

"A few months ago during my most difficult time of grieving, I received an unexpected gift from an amazing artist that I have always admired – Pink," she said. "She offered me a song that expresses power to stand up and stay strong. The most wonderful song is called 'Recovering.' "