Celine Dion's brother dies aged 59, two days after singer's husband lost cancer battle

Two days after losing her husband Rene Angelil, Celine Dion's brother, Daniel, has died from cancer at the age of 59. The sad news was confirmed by the office of Céline Dion's publicist, Francine Chaloult, on Jan. 16.

Celine has 13 siblings and one of her sisters, Claudette Dion, told Le Journal de Montréal on Jan. 15 that Daniel had terminal cancer of the throat, tongue and brain was currently hospitalized. Claudette also said that their family, including their 89-year-old mother Therese, was at his side in Montreal.

"It's very painful," she said. "It's a matter of days or hours."

Celine's own husband lost his battle with throat cancer at the age of 73 on Jan. 14 in Las Vegas, NV. Following the death of her beloved husband of 21 years, the chart-topping singer announced she was canceling her Vegas January concerts at Caesars Palace. Despite his illness, Rene made constant appearances during her Vegas residency. After taking a year-long sabbatical from her residency to care for her dying husband, Celine returned to the stage in August 2015. Rene was in attendance that night, looking on from the VIP area.

The French Canadian told the crowd, "The reason we did not come back before was because I wasn't emotionally ready to come back. My husband and my family needed me. They still do."

René, who had been managing Celine's career since the age of 12, had fought cancer three different times, the most recent being throat cancer. In an interview with USA Today in August, Celine was open about his fight against the disease, opening up on why she needed a break from her concerts and why she was finally coming back.

"I didn't want to be here at first, I don't need it, Don't get me wrong, I love singing for people, but I have priorities." She continued, "Rene really gave me a gift. All my grieving, it was during this last year. I think I've got this. For now. When it hits me, it's going to hit me. But my biggest job is to tell my husband, we're fine. I'll take care of our kids. You'll watch us from another spot."

Despite being at the death bed of her brother, Celine's sister took the opportunity to praise Rene, calling him an "outstanding" man.

"[Rene] told her how much he loved her," Claudette said. "It was a team. He told her she was his favorite singer. Celine returned to the stage to René because it was the best medicine for him and because he asked. You know, she did that for René."

Rene and Celine had three sons together, Rene-Charles, 15, and 5-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson.