Canadian singer Celine Dion is battling a significant health challenge, with her sister Claudette Dion revealing that the star has lost control of her muscles. The 55-year-old, celebrated for the iconic song My Heart Will Go On, announced in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Moersch-Woltman syndrome, or Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). This rare neurological condition causes rigidity in the torso and limbs and spasms that can be triggered by noise, touch, or emotional stress.
In the video she posted at the time, Dion said that her doctors were working to find the proper treatment and that she would keep fans updated as her health situation changed. She would go on to cancel her Courage World Tour dates through mid-2024 to focus on her recovery. One of Dion’s sisters, Linda, also moved into her Las Vegas home to be her caretaker.
Claudette gave her latest update on her sister to the Canadian news show 7 Jours, saying that she hopes to see her perform again, but it will likely be a while. She says her sister is “doing everything she can” to combat the disease, which reportedly affects one in a million people and has no known cure. ‘What breaks my heart is that she’s always been disciplined,’ Claudette said. ‘She never took anything for granted and worked on her craft to the best of her ability. She was always doing her best to get better, and she was always looking at the bigger picture.’
She added that she has been in contact with many patients and their families who have told her they have given up hope of finding a cure for the disorder, which reportedly affects the brain and spinal cord. Claudette also revealed that her sister has been working with a sports medicine therapist and is currently taking medication to help reduce the rigidity in her body.
Despite her serious health struggles, Celine continues to work hard, having recently recorded new music for the upcoming romantic comedy Love Again, in which she stars alongside Priyanka Chopra and Outlander co-star Sam Heughan. She has also been seen on the red carpet for several events, including an NHL game with her sons Rene-Charles and twins Nelson and Eddy. She was spotted at Katy Perry’s show in Las Vegas earlier this month, appearing to be in good spirits.
