Celine Dion’s husband Rene Angelil dies after 'long and courageous fight' against cancer

Celine Dion’s husband Rene Angelil has died, aged 73.

Dion, 47, confirmed the news in a Facebook post written in French.

Angelil died at their Las Vegas home after "a long and courageous fight" against cancer.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce that René Angélil, aged 73, died this morning at her residence in Las Vegas after a long and courageous fight against cancer," the post read.

"The family wishes to live the mourning in privacy. Other information will be provided in the next few days."

Angelil was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1999, but it returned several times.

Dion opened up about her husband's battle with the disease in August, telling USA Today that he was preparing for his death.

"We have asked [doctors] many times, how long does he have, three weeks, three months? René wants to know," she said. "But they say they don't know."

Recalling a conversation she had with Angelil, she said: "I'll say, 'You're scared? I understand. Talk to me about it.'

"And René says to me, 'I want to die in your arms.' 'OK, fine, I'll be there, you'll die in my arms.'"

Angelil is survived by the couple's three children – René-Charles, 14, and 5-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy – and his children, Anne-Marie, Patrick and Jean-Pierre from a previous relationship.