What to Know
In 2022, Céline Dion revealed that she had been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome. Later, due to her health challenges, she canceled her world tour. She continues to share lots of throwback photos and videos on social media, but shares personal updates less often. At the end of November, however, she took to social media to share a rare personal update with her fans.
In the clip she shared, she said, “Dear friends, today is a beautiful reminder to slow down, take a deep breath, and give thanks. There’s something so powerful about gathering with the people you love, whether around the full table, over the phone, or even just in your heart.”
Céline said she’s “so thankful.”
CNN previously reported that she “will likely never tour again.” After canceling her world tour in 2023, she did perform during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics in 2024. The singer’s doctor, Dr. Amanda Piquet, told People that the treatments for stiff-person syndrome are like a “full-time job.”
Though Céline recently told her followers to “slow down” and “take a deep breath,” she admittedly struggled to do so for quite a while. Before getting diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, she had experienced symptoms for many years, but she tried to push through the challenges. “I didn’t want to stop,” she previously told People. “I wanted to stay onstage. I wanted to be brave instead of smart. That was wrong.”
In her recent update, however, she focused on what she’s most thankful for. “I’m so thankful to my family and our moments together that mean the world to me,” she said in the clip. “May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, with peace, and with gratitude for everything even the little things.”
She opened up about her diagnosis last year.
Stiff-person syndrome is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder. The condition causes muscle spasms that can lead to falling, difficulty walking, shortness of breath, chronic pain, and other symptoms. In 2024, Céline revealed that opening up about her health challenges made her feel better. “It has been a big burden on my shoulders, and a lot of that weight’s gone,” she told Vogue. “Because now I can just focus on reality. That’s wonderful. My happiness came back.”
In a way, getting a diagnosis gave her clarity and hope too. “It probably sounds very strange to say this to you, but when I was diagnosed, I was happy,” she told the magazine. “I was finally able to move with the wave, not against it.”
