Celine Dion shared an emotional tribute on Instagram on June 2 when she paid tribute to a man she called “wonderful,” and “generous.”
The French-Canadian superstar posted a throwback photo of herself alongside Peabo Bryson after his death was announced at the age of 75.
The Grammy-winning Disney legend and R&B icon passed away after suffering a stroke and Celine was one of the many stars who remembered him with fondness.
Celine’s tribute
Celine — who duetted with Peabo for Disney’s Beauty And The Beast — wrote: “I’m heartbroken to heart that we lost Peabo Bryson today. His incredible voice and his kind spirit embodied the beauty of song and performance.”
She reflected on their 1991 collaboration for the Disney movie and said: “He made me so comfortable, as I was just learning to sing in English. He will remain for me always as a real symbol of joy that music has brought to my life. His voice and talent will be missed.
“My heart is with your family, and may you rest in peace Peabo. Love, Celine xx.”
Peaceful death
A statement from Peabo’s representative said he “transitioned peacefully.”
His family added: “We are tremendously moved by the outpouring of love, prayers and support from fans, friends, and colleagues around the world. While our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing how deeply Peabo was loved and how many lives were touched by his voice and his generous spirit. His legacy and music will live on for generations to come.”
Working with Celine
Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson sang together on the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack in 1991 (Getty)
Peabo remembered working with Celine and later recalled to CBC:“When you’re a great singer like [Céline], oftentimes you find yourself in situations where you have to dial back.
“I learned that from doing duets. The key to it is to play to your duet partner’s strengths and weaknesses equally. So essentially that renders into a situation where there are no weaknesses because you’re playing to them both equally.”
“I looked across at her, and she looked back at me, and what went on from the point of becoming relaxed was extremely intimate,” he added. “You can’t buy that. You can record it, though.”
Celine Dion is a mom of 3: What to know about her sons
Celine Dion is a world-famous singer and a proud mom of three sons.
Dion and her late husband and manager René Angélil shared three sons — René-Charles Angélil and twins Nelson and Eddy Angélil.
Since announcing in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disease, Dion has leaned on her sons for support.
In 2024, René-Charles Angélil, joined Dion at the New York premiere of her documentary, “I Am: Céline Dion,”, which documents her journey with stiff-person syndrome.
Celine Dion attends the “I Am: Celine Dion” New York special screening at Alice Tully Hall on June 17, 2024 in New York City
In an emotional speech at the premiere, Dion thanked her sons for their “daily love and support.”
“I love you very much,” she added after thanking them each by name.
In 2024, Dion made a surprise appearance at the 66th Grammy Awards, where she was escorted on stage by René-Charles Angélil.
Rene-Charles Angelil escorts Celine Dion as she speaks onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles.
The singer also marked a milestone when she performed at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, her first live performance since announcing her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis.
On March 30, Dion announced that she plans to return to live concerts, and will do so at a residency-style run of shows at Paris La Défense Arena beginning Sept. 12.
Get to know more about Dion’s three children below.
René-Charles Angélil
Dion and René Angélil welcomed René-Charles Angélil on Jan. 25, 2001.
Dion shared a birthday tribute to her eldest son on Instagram in 2022 and wrote in part, “I’ve been thriving as I watch you grow. Your intelligence, your generosity, your courage, and your great sensitivity never cease to move me.”
The eldest son is also a musician like his parents.
In 2021, he released an EP under the name RC Angélil, titled “CasiNo.5.” The track list includes the songs “Mamba Mentality,” “MONEY, THRILLS, AND REST,” “NO Ls,” “GG4” and “LV.”
“I’m so proud of my son. My love for him is so strong, and it touches me deeply that one of his passions is also one of mine,” Dion wrote on social media at the time.
Nelson and Eddy Angélil
Dion and Angélil welcomed twins Nelson and Eddy on Oct. 23, 2010.
In October 2020, to mark the tenth birthday of her “beautiful boys,” Dion shared three childhood photos of her twins on Instagram.
“Nelson and Eddy, you have been bringing so much joy, love and laughter into our lives every single day for the past 10 years,” she wrote in the caption. “You make me, your big brother and your Dad, who is for sure watching over you, so very proud.”
Both the twins and their elder brother all appear to be hockey fans. In November 2023, they posed for photos with their famous mom and players from the Montreal Canadiens in the locker room after a game against the Vegas Golden Knights, according to Dion’s Instagram.
“My boys and I had such a fun time visiting with the Montreal Canadiens after their hockey game with Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas Monday night. They played so well, what a game!!” Dion captioned the photos with her sons. “Thank you for meeting us after the game, guys! That was memorable for all of us.”
In 2025, Dion revealed that she and her sons also bond over their shared love of golf.
“The three of them are golfers. They are very passionate about the game,” she said TGL match in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, in March 2025. “I used to play golf when I had time. Then I had kids, then I took a little break and here I am.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KateLead-7b680bfb11ee419895fc7f5dee2860a7.jpg?resize=1500,1038&ssl=1 "Kate Reportedly ‘Left Absolutely Devastated’ by William’s ‘Brutal’ Decision—She Was ‘Distraught’")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(753x271:755x273):format(webp)/cole-the-deaf-dog-112125-1a-ad248101bd174108a795d88d6afd93d8.jpg?resize=750,500&ssl=1 "Elementary School Throws Deaf Therapy Dog a Surprise Birthday Party as Students Learn Sign Language to Sing ‘Happy Birthday’")
