Celine Dion’s husband Rene Angélil passes away from cancer at age 73

Rene Angélil, the husband of Canadian singer Celine Dion, 47, passed away last night following a lengthy battle with throat cancer. 

The family confirmed the passing of Rene at their Las Vegas home at the age of 73. 

"René Angélil passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer," said a rep for the family on Thursday. 

"The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment; more details will be provided at a later time."

The couple married in 1994 after Celine met the singer when she was just 12-years-old. 

He quickly became her mentor and manager before the relationship became romantic in 1987. 

The pair have three children together, two twin boys aged 5 and a 14-year-old son. Rene also has three children from previous relationships. 

The pair celebrated their twenty-first wedding anniversary just last month.