Celine Dion
In 1997, Celine Dion recorded "My Heart Will Go On" for the film Titanic, and the ballad topped charts worldwide and won an Academy Award. It cemented her status as one of the biggest-selling vocalists on the planet.
Quebec Beginnings
The youngest of 14 children, Celine Dion began performing in her family's piano bar at age five. By 12 she had impressed manager Rene Angelil enough that he launched her career.
Global Superstar
Crossing over to English-language pop, she became the queen of the power ballad. Albums like Falling into You and Let's Talk About Love sold tens of millions worldwide.
Resilience
After a celebrated Las Vegas residency, Dion revealed a 2022 diagnosis of stiff person syndrome. Her gradual return, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, drew worldwide admiration.
Career Timeline
- 1968Born youngest of 14 children in Charlemagne, Quebec
- 1981Releases first French album at age 13
- 1988Wins Eurovision representing Switzerland
- 1990English-language debut album Unison released
- 1992"Beauty and the Beast" wins Grammy and Oscar
- 1996Falling into You wins Grammy Album of the Year
- 1997Records "My Heart Will Go On" for Titanic
- 1999Steps back from music after father's death
- 2003Launches landmark Las Vegas residency
- 2019Ends record-setting Las Vegas residency run
- 2022Reveals stiff person syndrome diagnosis
- 2024Returns to perform at the Paris Olympics opening
Biggest Hits
- She won the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest representing Switzerland, not her native Canada, with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi."
- Manager Rene Angelil mortgaged his home to finance her first album; the two later married.
Portrait: Georges Biard · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons