Celine Dion’s Brother, Daniel Dion, Dies Days After Her Husband

Less than a week after her beloved husband Rene Angelil died, the singing sensation Celine Dion, has also lost her brother, Daniel Dion to cancer. Daniel, 59, died of cancer on Saturday.

Celine Dion’s representative, Kim Jakwerth, released a statement that Dion died Saturday surrounded by his family after battling cancer for several years. The statement said he died at a palliative care center in Terrebonne, Quebec, outside Montreal.

The eighth of 14 children born to Thérèse Tanguay-Dion and Adhémar Dion, Daniel Dion spent his final days surrounded by his family.

“Taking in consideration the reserved character of their deceased brother, the family wishes respect and discretion from the media,” the family said.

Dion leaves behind his two daughters, two grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. His funeral will take place later this month at St-Simon-et-Jude in Quebec, where the Dion children were raised.

The news comes shortly after the singer lost her husband to throat cancer. Her brother was also diagnosed with cancer of the throat, tongue and brain before his passing.