René Angélil, husband of Celine Dion, dies after battling throat cancer

Singer Celine Dion and husband Rene Angelil pose in New York, Thursday Dec. 16, 1999, after she was presented a commemorative award by Sony Music in recognition of her career sales of more than 100-million albums. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Posted: Jan 14, 2016 / 05:18 PM EST

Updated: Jan 14, 2016 / 05:18 PM EST

LAS VEGAS (WCMH) – Celine Dion confirmed this afternoon that her husband, 73-year-old René Angélil, died after a long battle with cancer.

The former singer and manager was 73.

In August, Dion told USA Today she was returning to the stage in Vegas after taking time off to care for him.

“I think I’ve got this,” she said. “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.”