Celine Dion Reveals Near-Death Battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome

Celine Dion’s struggle with stiff-person syndrome was more severe than most people realized. In an upcoming interview with Hoda Kotb, the Grammy-winning artist, who was diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder in 2022, shared that the disease nearly took her life. On Thursday, Kotb discussed details of her interview with Dion on Today With Hoda & Jenna, telling her co-host about the lowest point in Dion’s health journey. “Celine Dion at some point—she is now much better—but, at one point, she almost died, which is something she shared. It was a truly scary time,” Kotb said. “It was a scary time.”

Kotb went on to say, “She was diagnosed with this terrible disease and, at one point, she wondered if she was going to make it, whether she was going to live through it.”

While previewing her emotional talk with Dion, which will air on NBC on June 11, Kotb concluded on a hopeful note: “We’ll see where she is on her journey of coming back, but I know people are cheering her on.”

Dion’s battle with stiff-person syndrome, which has impacted her ability to sing, is also explored in the Prime Video documentary I Am: Celine Dion. In the film’s heart-wrenching trailer, Dion says, “I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder. I wasn’t ready to say anything before. But I’m ready now.”

Discussing the toughest aspect of the disease, Dion mentioned, “It’s not hard to do a show now; it’s hard to cancel a show. I’m working hard every day, but I have to admit—it’s been a struggle. I miss it so much. The people. I miss them. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. I won’t stop.”