Celine Dion says sons are coping well with Rene Angelil's death

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Celine Dion says her three sons are coping "very well" with Rene Angelil's death.

The 48-year-old singer discussed in an interview with Extra how she and her kids, 16-year-old Rene-Charles and 6-year-old Nelson and Eddy, have supported each other since Angelil died in 2016.

"What makes me most proud is to be a mother," Dion told host Renee Bargh. "I have three magnificent kids, that through them, I see my husband and I have the strength today to keep dressing up and still want to sing."

"To be honest, they're remarkable. I'm proud of them," she added of her children. "They're helping me, I'm helping them -- it's mutual. They cope with the loss of their dad very well."

"I'm very proud of [Rene-Charles]," the star shared. "I said to him, 'I never want [you] to feel the pressure [of being] the man of the house. You have your own dreams and your father is not here, but he's in your heart. He's always going to be supporting you in a different way, and I'm there for you.'"

Angelil, who was married to Dion for over 21 years, died in January 2016 after a long battle with throat cancer. Dion told Entertainment Tonight in an interview Tuesday that she's feeling "stronger" a year after her husband's death.

"I feel stronger," she said. "I step forward. I say what I mean, I mean what I say. I stand up for my kids and I feel like I'm the leader of my family."

Dion joined The Voice Season 12 as Gwen Stefani's advisor in January, and launched her own collection of handbags, luggage and accessories with the Bugatti Group this week. She will remain in residence at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas through 2017.