Celine Dion celebrates 55th birthday amid health struggles and battle with stiff person syndrome
QUEBEC, CANADA: Legendary singer Celine Dion, who has been keeping a low profile due to her Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis, celebrated her 55th birthday surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 30. To mark the milestone birthday, the 'My Heart Will Go On' hitmaker's team took to her Instagram to dedicate a special message to the singer while also urging her fans to do the same.
"On this very special day, we'd like to wish you, dear Celine, a very happy 55th birthday!" the Instagram post read alongside a montage of Dion sharing intimate moments with her loved ones. The pictures featured her late husband René Angélil and her three sons, Rene-Charles, 21, and twins Nelson and Eddy, 12. "To all of you fans who would like to leave a message for Celine on this occasion, please do so by posting your video or picture on your Instagram, Twitter, or TikTok account using the hashtag #LetsTalkAboutLove25 so we can add it to the message board: messagesfor.celinedion.com," the caption continued.
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'Happy bday my queen'
Fans flooded the comments section with their love and support for the Grammy winner on her special day. "You ARE the reason! Thanks for bringing so much life to our lives, Céline! Enjoy your birthday," a fan comment read. "Happy bday my queen," a user said, while another added, "I love you so much, my queen! get well soon." A fourth comment said, "Happiest of happy birthdays to the beautiful and always wonderful Celine! Much love!" Dion, who continues to promote her latest project 'Love Again' on social media, also received words of praise from co-stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan on the special occasion. In a clip shared by Heughan, Chopra can be heard calling the singer "a real-life fairy godmother of love," with him adding, "Thank you for giving the world your love and your music."
Dion opens up about health struggles
Dion talked about her health issues in an emotional post, revealing her Stiff Person Syndrome diagnosis, an incurable neurological disorder that could strip off her musical gifts for good. "Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to," she said in December 2022. Dion has since rarely been seen out in the public. The condition, which eventually leaves sufferers as 'human statues' by progressively locking the body into rigid positions, leaving the diagnosed unable to walk or talk, has compelled the artist to postpone her European tour.
Talking about her condition, Dion penned: "Recently, I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which affects one in a million people. 'While we're still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what's been causing all the spasms I've been having." She added that the diagnosis had impacted "every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to."
She continued: It hurts me to tell you today that this means I won’t be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February. I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children are supporting me and giving me help. I'm working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again but I have to admit it's been a struggle."