Celine Dion Shakes Her Late Husband Rene Angelil's Hand Every Night

Celine Dion is opening up about her family life since losing her husband Rene Angelil two years ago in her new cover shoot for Stellar Magazine, available now in News Corp’s Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Herald Sun.

Here’s what the 49-year-old “My Heart Will Go On” singer had to share with the mag:

On the replica of Rene’s hand, cast in bronze, that sits backstage at every concert she plays: “I shake my husband’s hand and knock on wood with him every night before every show. Even after he’s gone, I still talk to him.”

On being on stage throughout her husband’s illness and returning only weeks after his passing: “My husband wanted me to go back onstage before he passed, that’s what he wanted the most. So I went back onstage while he was still alive; he wanted to make sure I could keep going. So I did prove to him yes, 
I could keep going. I told him I’ve got the kids and that he’s got to trust me, he’s got to relax.”

“He taught me so much. He did a great job; what he had been giving to me all his life and all my life will always be with me. He gave me his all. He mortgaged his house to pay for my first album. I guess before he left he wanted to make sure I was fine. I’m trying to prove to him every day I’m fine. Our kids are growing, we feel strong. We’re good.”

On March 30, Celine will turn 50, and she’ll be onstage in Las Vegas performing: “I’m not a birthday girl, not even when I was 20. To be honest, I’d rather be doing a show. But five is my lucky number, so I’m quite excited to turn 50.”

For more from Celine, visit DailyTelegraph.com.au.