- Celine Dion has been rumored to be dating a younger man.
- The man in question is her backup dancer and professional illustrator.
- Despite speculation, Dion has clarified the nature of their relationship. She also admitted to being in love with her late husband, René Angelil.
René Angelil and Céline Dion on December 1, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Celine Dion’s love life has long captivated her fans. Now, rumors of a romance with a younger colleague add an intriguing layer to her story. For years, speculation has swirled around Dion and a younger man with whom she’s been publicly spotted on multiple occasions.
Celine Dion and Rene Angelil at the 1995 World Music Awards on May 3, 1995 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. | Source: Getty Images
The celebrated singer became a widow following the death of her husband, René Angélil. Since then, she has navigated her personal and professional life with dignity. Angélil was not just her husband but the mastermind behind her soaring career. His passing left a profound void in Dion’s life.
Celine Dion and Rene Angelil at The 22nd Annual American Music Awards on January 30, 1995 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The couple’s remarkable love story began when Dion was a mere 12 years old. Angélil, 26 years her senior, took on a pivotal role in her burgeoning career and later, her personal life.
“I started to know René when I was 12 years old,” Dion revealed. She highlighted the deep respect and love that formed the foundation of their relationship.
Céline Dion and René Angelil pictured on March 1, 1988 | Source: Getty Images
During that period, he worked on turning her into one of the best vocalists that the world has come to know today. Dion disclosed that in the beginning she did not write songs, could not read music nor play an instrument. However, she was surrounded by influential people because she had Angélil as her manager.
Céline Dion and René Angelil pictured on March 1, 1988 | Source: Getty Images
The pair first met when Angélil asked young Dion to sing for him in his office, leaving him emotional. The superstar was accompanied by her mother at the time. She shared that her future manager became a part of the family from that moment onwards.
Rene Angelil and Celine Dion at The 2nd Annual Blockbuster Awards on March 6, 1996 | Source: Getty Images
Two years later, Dion burst onto the music scene thanks to Angélil, taking the world by storm. While rising to superstardom, Dion also developed an affection for her future spouse. She admitted that she used to sleep with his picture under a pillow.
“But I never dared tell him that I dreamed of him every night,” the iconic songstress revealed in her memoir “Celine Dion: My Story, My Dream.”
Celine Dion at M.I.D.E.M in Cannes on January 22, 1996 in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
At the time, the Canadian music producer’s marriage was said to be on the verge of collapse. This also gave Dion the courage to fall for him even more. However, she could only do that in secret.
It was in April 1988 that she made her feelings known. She did it after winning a TV singing competition in Dublin. “I threw myself into his arms. Later that night, I was seated at the head of the bed, legs folded under the covers. I was happy about being alone with the man I loved,” Dion penned.
Rene Angelil and Celine Dion during the 38th Annual Grammy Awards on February 28, 1996 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
After keeping their romance a secret, Dion and Angélil revealed they were a couple four years later. Their relationship blossomed despite their significant age difference and the ensuing public gaze. It was a profound love story. It was highlighted by a grand wedding in 1994.
The duo enjoyed great professional milestones and faced personal challenges. These included Angélil’s health struggles. The talent manager was first diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on a lymph gland in 1999. This was a type of cancer in his neck.
Celine Dion and Rene Angelil at The 25th Annual People’s Choice Awards on January 10, 1999 in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images
Despite Angélil’s diagnosis and treatment for cancer, the couple became parents. This journey showcased their unwavering bond and shared commitment. The two became first-time parents when they welcomed their eldest son, René-Charles, in January 2001.
Celine Dion, Rene-Charles and Rene Angelil during the Christening of Rene-Charles on July 25, 2001 in Canada. | Source: Getty Images
Dion and Angélil expanded their family several years later. They welcomed fraternal twin sons, Nelson and Eddy in October 2010. After becoming parents for the second and third time, the couple faced yet another health battle.
Celine Dion, Nelson Dion Angelil, Eddy Dion Angelil, Rene Angelil, and Rene-Charles Dion Angelil at Caesars Palace on February 16, 2011 in Las Vegas. | Source: Getty Images
Dion paused her illustrious career to support Angélil through his health battles. She demonstrated the depth of her love and commitment to him. In 2020, she postponed her Las Vegas residency and canceled her Asia tour to be by his side. This included several other work-related engagements.
This was after Angélil had a tumor removed from his throat. His condition led to a very challenging and stressful period in the couple’s life.
“I want to devote every ounce of my strength and energy to my husband’s healing, and to do so, it’s important for me to dedicate this time to him and to our children,” Dion expressed. She made this statement while thanking fans for their love and immense support.
Rene Angelil and Celine Dion at the “Veronic Voices” premiere on June 28, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images
After a year-long hiatus, Dion returned to the stage. She opened up about caring for her ailing spouse during that period. By this time, Angélil had undergone several procedures at Boston hospitals. He was based at the couple’s Las Vegas home after being on a feeding tube for two years.
In a candid August 2015 interview, Dion revealed they had asked doctors how long Angélil had to live. Sadly, even though her husband wanted to know, the doctors could not give them a clear answer.
Rene Angelil photographed leaving a hotel on November 13, 2013 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
“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,” Dion recounted the lovebirds’ conversations in his final days.
Angélil sadly passed away in January 2016 at 73, just two days shy of his 74th birthday. His beloved wife spoke candidly about their last moments together four months later. She spoke about those moments during a “Good Morning America” interview.
“I saw him suffer, and that is the worst,” Dion recalled. The five-time Grammy Award winner added that though she does not live with him physically, he still lives inside her.
The mother of three said she told her love to go in peace and not to worry. She told him that she and their kids would be okay once he passed on.
Celine Dion and Rene Angelil at the “BAMBI Awards 2012” on November 22, 2012 in Duesseldorf, Germany. | Source: Getty Images
Following Angélil’s passing, Dion’s close relationship with a colleague sparked rumors of a new love interest. However, she has clarified the nature of their relationship. She emphasized that he serves as a confidante and friend rather than a romantic partner.
“He’s my best friend,” Dion explained in an April 2022 interview. The singer dispelled the rumors. She shared the significant role the said man has played in her life in the years since her husband’s death.
She further revealed that the man mistaken to be her romantic partner is in actual fact, gay. Dion acknowledged that people might not have been aware of his sexuality.
“He did so much for me, even just holding my hand. It’s something that I haven’t had for a long time, a hug from a 6’3’’ man…It was wonderful,” the music superstar said of her relations with her pal.
The backup dancer pictured leaving a hotel at Royal Monceau on July 20, 2017 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
She further explained that people sincerely believed they were romantically involved. The singer added how much of an impact her good friend has had in her life. “He did so much for me, for my mental health, my spirituality, my strength… my inner strength,” she admitted.
Meanwhile, social media users have commented on Dion’s love life on X (formerly known as Twitter) over the years. In January 2019, one person wrote, “She is allowed for her heart to go on!…”
Celine Dion at the Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2019 2020 show on July 1, 2019 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
“I really hope she finds love again. Happy she has a good friend to lean on,” said someone else. Another penned, “Love you Celine, be happy. Your wonderful hubby would want that for you.”
Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz seen leaving the GIVENCHY office building on January 24, 2019 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
The man rumored to be dating Dion is Pepe Muñoz, who became her backup dancer in 2017. Muñoz was first discovered in 2003 at age 19 when he danced on the sidewalk for tips in Madrid.
Pepe Munoz and Celine Dion attend the Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 show on January 22, 2019 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
After that, he was cast in the Spanish production of the Broadway musical, “Cats.” Muñoz is also an illustrator. In a July 2017 interview, he recalled that although he did not sing, he agreed to audition either way and even bagged the role.
Pepe Munoz and Celine Dion attend the Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2019 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Since that experience, he has made a name for himself in international theater. Muñoz has appeared in productions such as “Dirty Dancing,” and “West Side Story.”
Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz at the RVDK Ronald Van Der Kemp Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 show on January 23, 2019 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
In June 2023, he posted a black-and-white image of himself wearing only black pants without a shirt on Instagram. His followers gushed about his looks in the comments section. “Beautiful!” commented one follower. Another stated, “Photogenic!” While someone else said, “Gorgeous,” on Muñoz’s social media upload.
Despite ongoing curiosity about her personal life, Dion remains focused on her family, career, and well-being. She previously revealed that she was not ready for a relationship. She talked about this when asked in a 2019 interview.
Pepe Munoz and Celine Dion at the Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 show on January 22, 2019 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
“I don’t know. I have no idea,” she said. “But right this second, love is so big right now in my life, with my kids, with life itself. I’m not thinking about a relationship and falling in love again. I don’t. Do I have to say that it will never happen anymore? I don’t know. I don’t know.”
Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz at the Giorgio Armani Prive Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 show on January 22, 2019 in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
Dion, who made headlines after presenting Taylor Swift with an award, continues to cherish her fans’ support. She honors Angélil’s memory through her devotion to their children and her career. On the fifth anniversary of her late husband’s death, she paid a heartfelt tribute to him on Instagram. She posted a close-up photo of them holding hands.
“René, it’s been 5 years already… There’s not one day that we don’t think about you. […] You are in our hearts and in our lives forever. We love you, Celine, René-Charles, Nelson, and Eddy xx…” Dion captioned her post.
Eights months after Angélil’s death, Dion reflected on their decades-long romance. She revealed that he was the only man that she had ever kissed.
“I never kissed another man in my life. So the man of my life was my partner, and we were one,” she divulged. Dion admitted she is still in love with the father of her kids. They were married for 21 years and she deemed him “the greatest man” in the world.
Celine Dion discussed her relationship with Muñoz. She reflected on finding support and companionship in the most unexpected places. While people still want to know about her life, she remains honest about love and sadness and never gives up.