Céline Dion's Husband René Angélil Has Passed Away

René Angélil, husband of Céline Dion, has died, his rep confirmed exclusively to PEOPLE.

"Rene Angelil, 73, passed away this morning at his home in Las Vegas after a long and courageous battle against cancer," the rep said in a statement. "The family requests that their privacy be respected at the moment."

Angélil, who guided Dion's career as her manager and mentor, is survived by the couple's three children – René-Charles, 14, and 5-year-old twins Nelson and Eddy – and his adult children from a previous relationship, Anne-Marie, Patrick and Jean-Pierre.

Angélil battled three bouts of cancer.

"We have asked [doctors] many times, how long does he have, three weeks, three months? René wants to know," Dion said in a candid interview with the USA TODAY" in August. "But they say they don't know."

"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.' Okay, fine, I'll be there, you'll die in my arms."

Our thoughts are with you Celine! 

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