Celine Dion, 56, responds to romance rumors over younger companion, eight years after passing of husband

It’s been eight years since Celine Dion lost the love of her life, husband and manager Rene Angelil, but the superstar singer has made it very clear that she’s not thinking of moving on yet.

Rumors about her love life have persisted for years now – as is so often the case for the highest of high-profile celebrities – but it would seem as though Celine remains committed to the only man she ever kissed.

Dion and Angelil’s relationship has unusual roots to say the least. The latter first met the former when she was just 12 years old. Angelil, then 26 years her senior, took on a pivotal role in her life when he agreed to become her manager, even reportedly remortgaging his house to help with the effort of turning Celine into a star.

And, of course, a star she became. Indeed, the artist herself has previously attributed much of her success to Angelil’s guidance; he was the mastermind behind her burgeoning career, transforming her into one of the greatest vocalists in the world.

It was during her rapid rise to fame that Celine began to have feelings for her manager, admitting in her memoir Celine Dion: My Story, Mr Dream, that she “Never dared tell him that I dreamed of him every night.”

In April 1988, Dion made her feelings known to Angelil. “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,” she wrote.

LAS VEGAS, NV – SEPTEMBER 15: Celine Dion and her husband Rene Angelil pose for a picture backstage during the 2004 World Music Awards at the Thomas and Mack Center on September 15, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Four years later, Dion and Angelil went public with their romance, and the pair married at a lavish ceremony in 1994.

Sadly, Angelil was diagnosed with a form of throat cancer in 1999, and passed away in 2016 after a valiant, near 20-year battle. His death naturally left a void in Dion’s life that could never be adequately filled, with the singer herself having made it clear that she’s not looking for love.

“I don’t date. I don’t have a boyfriend,” she said in an interview with USA Today.

“It doesn’t mean that I will not find someone in my life. If I do, that would be great. If I don’t, that would be great, because I’m still in love.”

She added: “René is still within me. I see him through the eyes of my children everyday. I’m so passionate about life, and I’m so lucky to have my three beautiful sons. But I keep everything open.”

Nevertheless, speculation has been abound in recent years regarding Celine’s love life, with particular focus placed on a younger man whom she’s been sighted with publicly on multiple occasions.

Dion’s close relationship with said individual sparked plenty of rumors regarding the possibility of her having perhaps found a new love interest. Yet the 56-year-old – currently battling Stiff Person Syndrome – denied the gossip, clarifying that the man in question, Pepe Muñoz, is a confidante and friend.

In 2022, Dion said of Munoz: “He’s my best friend.” She went on to explain that he’s in fact gay, and became her backup dancer in 2017.

“He did so much for me, even just holding my hand,” Dion said. “It’s something that I haven’t had for a long time, a hug from a 6’3’’ man…It was wonderful.”

PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 22: Celine Dion and Pepe Munoz attend the Giorgio Armani Prive Haute Couture Spring Summer 2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 22, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)

So, there you have it folks. If any of you were wondering, Dion does not appear to have found a new flame.

We’re wishing her the very best of luck with her ongoing recovery, and look forward to hopefully seeing her on a stage soon.

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