Celine Dion says husband Rene hopes to die in her arms

LAS VEGAS, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Celine Dion opened up about ailing husband Rene Angelil in a new interview Sunday.

The 47-year-old Canadian singer discussed her 73-year-old spouse and former manager with USA Today as Angelil continues to battle throat cancer. Dion will resume her Las Vegas residency at Caesar's Palace upon her husband's request Aug. 27.

"I didn't want to be here at first, I don't need it," she admitted. "Don't get me wrong, I love singing for people, but I have priorities. But Rene really gave me a gift ... 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."

Angelil served as Dion's manager for nearly 35 years, but stepped down last year due to his health, which has significantly declined. The couple married in 1994, and have three sons together: 14-year-old Rene-Charles and 4-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson.

"We have asked [doctors] many times, how long does he have ... but they say they don't know," the singer revealed. "I'll say [to Rene], 'You're scared? I understand. Talk to me about it.' And Rene says to me, 'I want to die in your arms.' OK, fine, I'll be there, you'll die in my arms."

"When you see someone who is fighting so hard, it has a big impact on you," she shared. "You have two choices. You look at your husband who's very sick and you can't help, and it kills you. Or you look at your husband who's sick and you say, 'I got you. I got it. I'm here. It's going to be just fine.'"

Dion put her career on hold "indefinitely" to care for Angelil last year, and announced her return to Las Vegas in March. She previously revealed her husband must be fed through a tube, and told USA Today he is living at their Las Vegas home following several procedures in Boston.