French actor Alain Delon was regarded as the “most seductive man in cinema history” when he was just 25 years old.
His unearthly good looks mesmerized audiences when he debuted on television, and in real life, “ladies would pass out at the mere sight of him.”
However, the actor, who was a global sex icon in the 1960s and 1980s, had a turbulent personal history full of scandals, including infidelity, family disputes, and even a murder charge.
Following a stroke in 2019, Delon became silent. Ever since withdrawing from the public eye, his name has only surfaced on August 18, 2024, the day he passed away at the age of 88.
Prior to turning 21, Alain Delon—the future Hollywood star—was accused of stealing a Jeep while enlisted in the French Navy, spent his 20th birthday in jail, and mixed with the worst kind of people.
“I was terribly [undisciplined] and disruptive.I was a very rough little monster, Delon said to the Guardian.
#AlainDelon pic.twitter.com/6EPeMNwQyn
— Alain Delon Society (@DelonSociety) July 14, 2023
Born on November 8, 1935, in a little town outside of Paris, Delon experienced a turbulent upbringing. His restless and rebellious adolescence led him to the “underworlds” of the Mediterranean.
A 34-year-old Delon acknowledged that “most of the gangsters I know…were my friends before I became an actor” in a 1970 interview with The New York Times. “I don’t worry about what a friend does,” he said. Everyone is in charge of their own actions. It makes no difference what he does.
And his life may have taken a different turn if it weren’t for the countless ladies who were yearning after him.
When he was eighty-two, Delon—dubbed a “megalomaniac” by GQ—spoke with a French magazine about why he chose to make his attractive face public:”I became an actor because I want these women to think I’m the most attractive, tallest, and strongest person.”
dominated the French film industry
Drawing from his exquisitely defined cheekbones and heart-melting icy blue eyes, actor Alfonso Delon gained global recognition for the first time in the French comedy Women are Weak in 1959.
His next significant performance was as Tom Ripley in the 1960 motion picture Plein Soleil (Purple Moon), which was adapted from the novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. Matt Damon starred in the film’s renowned 1999 remake.
Delon was the highest-paid actor in French history and controlled the national box office from the 1960s to the mid-1980s.
Furthermore, he did not receive the same level of recognition in Hollywood as he did in Europe, despite his significant success there.
One noteworthy exception was when Delon costarred with Burt Lancaster in the 1973 movie Scorpio, in which the latter played the part of Scorpio, an apprentice hitman.
nationwide scandal
The actor’s career included a number of business endeavors where he used his notoriety and good looks to build a strong brand. He worked in the cosmetics industry, using his reputation to endorse branded goods. Delon also experimented with horse racing, joining forces with infamous Marseille criminal underworld figure Jacky “Le Mat” Imbert to invest in a racehorse stable.
Delon’s ties to the criminal underworld came to light following the emergence of the “Markovic Affair” controversy. The controversy started when Stefan Markovic, Delon’s former bodyguard and confidant, was discovered dead in a bag left in a landfill outside of Paris with a bullet wound to his head. This startling finding sparked an inquiry that elevated Delon to prominence. Delon was cleared of all charges after being questioned by the police, but the affair turned into a national scandal that exposed his ties to the criminal underworld.
Love, relationships, and children
Actor Romy Schneider, whom Delon first encountered on the filming of the 1958 movie Christine, proposed to him in 1959. He had an affair with German singer and actor Nico before divorcing Schneider in 1964. Christian Boulogne was his first child, born in 1962. Boulogne, also known as Ari Päffgen, was denied by his father from birth and passed away in 2023 from what appeared to be an overdose.
In 1962, he married his sole spouse, Nathalie Barthélémy (now Delon), while he was having an affair with the Austrian performer Marisa Mell. At the time of the marriage, Nathalie was expecting Anthony Delon, who was born in September 1964.
Seule femme qu’Alain Delon épousera, Nathalie Delon lui donnera un fils, Anthony, au cours de ce mariage de quatre ans. Retour en images vintage sur ce couple français. –> https://t.co/CFC0jR90Cx pic.twitter.com/zBhPMWz2Mk
— Vogue France (@VogueFrance) September 7, 2024
After a few more extramarital romances, Delon hooked up with Dutch model Rosalee van Breemen. From 1987 to 2001, the two had a daughter named Anouchka (born 1990) and a son named Alain-Fabien (1994).
The three young actors work in French film.
Family dispute
Delon never tried to build ties with his sons and made it quite obvious which child was his preference.
Alain Delon with his daughter Anouchka, yesterday.
📷 : https://t.co/KTjRuI6A8F#AlainDelon #film #FilmTwitter pic.twitter.com/U2yuS1xG6S
— Alain Delon Society (@DelonSociety) May 17, 2023
He told the Guardian, “I have a daughter who is the love of my life, maybe a little too much in comparison to the others.” “I have never said I love you so often to any other woman.”
Additionally, Delon made arrangements in his will for Anouchka, 33, to receive half of his assets, with the remaining half being divided between his sons Anthony, 59, and Alain-Fabien, 30.
#Caturday 🐈#AlainDelon #animals #film #FilmTwitrer pic.twitter.com/pk1t8vnEYz
— Alain Delon Society (@DelonSociety) July 15, 2023
According to the French daily Le Monde, he has problems with his sons because he views them as competitors in the same company. The magazine details the terrible rivalry that developed between his sons and daughter, saying, “No doubt his ego – as uncertain as it was immense – made him consider his sons as potential rivals who he needed to smash.”
Demise
Delon was rendered incapacitated by a stroke in 2019. Withdrawing from public view, the highly regarded performer turned reticent.
And according to French media, the producer and stage actor who made hearts race across the globe passed away on August 18, 2024, at the age of 88.
Monsieur Klein ou Rocco, le Guépard ou le Samouraï, Alain Delon a incarné des rôles légendaires, et fait rêver le monde. Prêtant son visage inoubliable pour bouleverser nos vies.
Mélancolique, populaire, secret, il était plus qu’une star : un monument français. pic.twitter.com/1JTqPfVo5n
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 18, 2024
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, paid tribute to “a French monument” on X.
He wrote, “Alain Delon has made the world dream and played legendary roles.” “Morning, well-liked, reticent, he was more than just a celebrity.”
Despite their contentious dispute, Delon’s children expressed some very sincere condolences on social media. The 27th of August sees Anthony post on Instagram with the message, “Thanks to all of you, his loved audience, for these spontaneous tributes from the heart.” “His continued life is due to grace and your influence.”
Alain-Fabien posted a touching remembrance that day, complete with a picture of him and his aging father.
“Lowering the curtain, eternally lovely night, I’m sure you’re okay and that you found them up there.” I really do miss you. He writes, “I love you, Daddy,” and ends with the letter “Alf.”
And Anouchka posted her devastating sentiments on Instagram the day before her stepbrothers expressed their opinions.
View this post on Instagram
“I’ll think of you often. to conquer my phobia. Above all, please don’t say anything at all; I’m too fine.There.In the post from August 26, she says, “You know, only you know, how much I love you.” “Without you, I could never…ever survive. I cherish you. Do you also? I cherish you, Daddy.
Peace be with you, Anthony Delon. Which of these incredible actors’ flicks are your favorites? In order for us to offer the family our best wishes during this difficult time, please share your views with us and then tell your friends about this tragedy.
