Canadian singer Celine Dion has disclosed her 17-year struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, in an emotional interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show. Dion, known for hits like “Think Twice,” shared that she first experienced symptoms in 2008 but kept her condition private while managing her late husband Rene Angelil’s cancer and raising their children.
The 56-year-old singer explained that the burden of hiding her illness from her fans, who have been instrumental in her success, became too heavy to bear. Dion initially revealed her diagnosis in 2022, after years of grappling with the disease in silence. She expressed regret for not taking the time to address her health sooner, citing her responsibilities as a wife and mother as reasons for her delay.
Dion described the debilitating effects of Stiff Person Syndrome, including feeling as if she is being strangled, suffering from severe cramps, and even breaking ribs. Despite these challenges, she held on to her dreams and continued to push forward.