Celine Dion Gives Birth

M O N T R E A L, Jan. 25 -- Singer Celine Dion gave birth to a boy earlytoday, three weeks ahead of her due date.

A statement from the office of Francine Chaloult, Dion'sspokeswoman, said the baby — named Rene Charles — weighed 6 pounds,8 ounces and was born in Florida. Dion's doctor has an office inWest Palm Beach.

Both the 32-year-old mother and child were "doing marvelouslywell and are in perfect health," the statement said.

Time Off for Family

Dion, recently named favorite adult contemporary artist at theAmerican Music Awards show, announced her pregnancy last June aftertaking a break from performing due to difficulty in conceiving.

She had been undergoing fertility treatments in New York,forcing her to turn down an offer to sing at the Montreal funeralof Canadian hockey legend Maurice Richard last year.

Her pregnancy was achieved through in vitro fertilization withher husband-manager, Rene Angelil.

In December, Dion revealed she had a second embryo stored at aNew York fertility clinic.

"It doesn't mean they're identical twins but they wereconceived at the same time," the Quebec pop diva said in atelevision interview.

Asked whether she planned more children, Dion replied: "Anotherchild? Yes, because we already have another child waiting for us inNew York, making a stopover at this time. I surely couldn't liveknowing that child is there."