Alain Delon biography, height, women, children, young photos, net worth, age and cause of death

Biography of Alain Delon

Alain Delon is a legendary French theater and film actor who became an icon of world cinema. His popularity peaked in the 1960s-1980s when this blue-eyed Frenchman captivated millions of women worldwide and became one of the era's biggest sex symbols. His name became synonymous with irresistible charm and love at first sight.

Childhood

Alain Delon was born on November 8, 1935, in the Paris suburb of Sceaux and spent his childhood in the small town of Bourg-la-Reine, located 9 kilometers from the capital. Alain's parents were middle-class. His father, Fabien Delon, owned and ran a small cinema called "Le Régina". His mother, Édith, worked at a pharmacy and later became an usher at her husband's cinema.

Fabien often claimed he came from an old Corsican aristocratic family and was distantly related to Napoleon Bonaparte. While pregnant, Édith proudly called him "Bonaparte's heir," and when the boy was born, she showered him with adoring care. The "little emperor" lived up to his nickname: he screamed, bit, and fought, always clutching something in his tiny fist.

When Alain turned three, his parents divorced and both remarried. Alain stayed with his mother, who married a butcher named Paul Boulogne. The butcher shop was right in the house, and Édith (who became the saleswoman) had no time to raise her son. The hired nanny ran away after Alain bit her in a fit of anger.

So the boy was placed with Madam Nero, a wet nurse who lived nearby. Nero's husband worked as a guard at the local prison, and their house stood two steps away from the prison yard. Alain spent many hours watching the prisoners. Witnessing a prisoner being dragged to execution left an indelible mark on his young soul. From that moment on, Delon developed a deep distrust of law enforcement.

In 1943, Édith gave birth to a daughter. Alain adored his sister but felt increasingly isolated. He felt abandoned by both his father, who'd started a new family, and his mother. Years later, Delon described his younger self as "a bristling hedgehog, a bundle of nerves."

When it came time for first grade, Alain was sent to boarding school, where he lasted just three months before being expelled for outrageous behavior. He went through three schools in his first year, getting kicked out of each for the same reasons. Édith was baffled because Alain was completely different at home: he loved playing piano (he was incredibly musical), doted on his sister, and craved female attention. But when her son hit adolescence, she realized the teachers had been absolutely right. Alain became a force of nature; just one intense look from him could rattle Édith for an entire day.

Youth

13-year-old Alain was taken in by his biological father, but bonding with his son wasn't on the agenda. Young Delon ended up in a Jesuit boarding school at a monastery. It seemed that life under strict discipline had tamed the teenager's spirit. He read the Bible, learned psalms, shone in the church choir, and unexpectedly showed an aptitude for mathematics. After lulling the guards into complacency, Alain and a friend escaped from the boarding school and headed to the port, hoping to sneak onto a ship bound for America. They were predictably caught and sent to the police station.

Alain Delon was a handsome but very difficult teenager

Then his stepfather got serious about raising the rebellious young man. Paul decided to involve him in the family business and sent him to train in the Union of Meat Processing Workers. By 16, Alain had learned to butcher dead pigs and slit the throats of live ones, quickly becoming numb to their death throes. But shortly before receiving his diploma, he was expelled, accused of stealing a seal and forging grades. Delon took jobs in three different shops but was fired from each, despite being skilled in butchering carcasses.

Family relations began to feel like a picnic on the rim of an active volcano. His stepfather suggested Alain join the army, thinking that his unruly nature might be curbed there. The young man was thrilled—he realized this was the chance he'd been waiting for to prove himself. Enlisting in the French armed forces, after brief training, he was sent to Indochina, where France was fighting to retain its colony. These were the final months of combat, and it was becoming clear the enemy was winning. Still, Alain managed to see combat and narrowly escaped death several times under enemy fire.

The war did terrible things to me: it killed the last shreds of my illusions and hopes. There, I stopped being a child forever. I felt like a man, though I wasn't one yet. I was just pretending to be a man with a weapon.

Still, he never regretted the bitter experience—according to him, military service brought him closer to himself and taught him things that proved invaluable in his acting career:

Discipline, knowledge of hierarchy, and knowing when to shut up when a more experienced comrade is speaking.

Even in the army, the young man managed to find trouble: he argued with superiors, drank, and once stole a jeep to visit a lover living nearby. But he lost control, crashed into a tree, wrecked the vehicle, and spent his 20th birthday in the guardhouse.

After serving his sentence, Delon returned to his homeland. On the way home, he bought a revolver, not knowing the seller was working with authorities and would report him. Upon his return to the port of Marseille, law enforcement was already waiting for Alain. He spent the next month and a half in a jail cell.

Career Start

Upon returning to Paris in May 1956, Alain Delon got a job as a waiter at the Colisée restaurant near the Champs-Élysées. He was completely broke, and almost all his earnings went toward renting a shabby room. But within a month, Delon moved into the luxurious apartment of movie star Brigitte Auber, who once visited the Colisée and was surprised that such a handsome young man worked as a simple waiter.

Brigitte took her new lover to the Cannes Film Festival, and something clicked for the young man. He became obsessed with fame and tried every way to make the right connections. And he did it effortlessly. In Cannes, he caught photographers' attention even before getting his first audition invitation – he pretended to be Hollywood actor James Dean's double, and he really did look like him.

At the dawn of his career, Alain Delon posed as James Dean's double

Cannes introduced Delon to Hollywood impresario Harry Wilson, who was impressed by the Frenchman's resemblance to the recently deceased Dean and offered him a deal. At the same time, Alain met French director Yves Allégret, who invited the handsome actor to the film "When a Woman Meddles" (1957). Faced with choosing between Hollywood and his homeland, Delon picked France.

Alain Delon in the film 'When a Woman Meddles'

After his debut, Delon starred in Marc Allégret's comedy "Be Beautiful But Shut Up" and earned good money for his work. Today, this film is watched with special nostalgia, since Delon appears in just one scene alongside the equally inexperienced Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo in the comedy 'Be Beautiful But Shut Up'

Delon then charmed one of the most influential agents in the French film industry, Olga Horstig. She sent a photo of the young actor to the established star Romy Schneider, who was looking for a partner for the historical drama "Christine." We'll explore the complicated relationship between Romy and Alain more in the "Personal Life" section. The film was released in 1958 to lukewarm reviews, but Delon earned the title of "discovery of the year."

Alain Delon and Romy Schneider in the film 'Christine'

The Rise

The young actor's breakthrough came with René Clément's detective thriller "Purple Noon" in March 1960. The plot of this film may be familiar to modern audiences because Anthony Minghella later made a remake titled "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999).

Today we can compare Matt Damon and Alain Delon's performances, but back then, the 24-year-old Frenchman was hailed as a gifted actor with "hidden depths" and the face of a "fallen angel." By portraying Tom Ripley, who kills his friend to take his place—not just for his status but also for his perceived happiness—Alain Delon proved he was not just a handsome man with striking looks, but an actor capable of nuanced performances.

"Purple Noon" made Delon famous beyond France—catching the eye of legendary Italian director Luchino Visconti. In 1960, Alain played the lead role of the naive and kind-hearted Rocco in Visconti's film "Rocco and His Brothers," which also starred Annie Girardot and Claudia Mori (the wife of Adriano Celentano). This role was the opposite of the previous one—Delon played a noble character, and critics praised his talent and ability to transform.

Alain Delon in the film 'Rocco and His Brothers'

The 1960s almost became Alain Delon's era, at least in France. Under Visconti's mentorship, the young man transformed in just two years from a rough-edged brute into a cultured socialite versed in cinema, theater, literature, and art. He changed his wardrobe, bought a mansion with a stable, and started collecting antique weapons. He commanded up to 20 million francs per film—a fortune at the time.

Alain Delon, sex symbol of French cinema in the 1960s

Every year, several films starring him were released, with the most famous being "L'Eclisse" (1962) by Michelangelo Antonioni, "The Leopard" (1963) by Visconti, with Claudia Cardinale, and "The Black Tulip" (1963). Just seeing "Delon" in large letters on a poster was reason enough to buy a ticket—the unknown actor had become a brand unto himself.

On the set of the film 'The Black Tulip'

Delon's 1965 Hollywood venture didn't pan out—his American films failed to make much impact. Upon returning to France, however, he had several notable works: "The Last Adventure," "Le Samouraï" (1967), "Spirits of the Dead" (1968) with Brigitte Bardot and Jane Fonda, "The Swimming Pool" (1969) with Romy Schneider and Jane Birkin, and "The Sicilian Clan" (1969) with Jean Gabin. In 1970, he formed a brilliant duo with his rival Jean-Paul Belmondo in the gangster drama "Borsalino."

Alain Delon with Brigitte Bardot on the set of 'Spirits of the Dead'

In 1975, he took on the role of Zorro in the film of the same name—the role of a bold and seductive criminal or, conversely, a fighter for justice became one of the most successful in his career.

Alain Delon in the legendary role of Zorro

Over the following three decades, Delon appeared in more than 50 films, working with acclaimed directors like Jean-Pierre Melville, Jacques Deray, Jean-Luc Godard, and Louis Malle, and even venturing into Soviet cinema with directors Alov and Naumov in the drama "Teheran 43." He also tried his hand at directing, screenwriting, and producing, starred in several major theatrical productions, and recorded the popular duet "Paroles, paroles" with singer Dalida.

Dalida and Alain Delon – 'Paroles, paroles'

For many years, the elegant and commanding Delon reigned as the ultimate sex symbol not just of France, but across Europe. Directors frequently capitalized on his signature "cold beauty" persona in their films. However, Delon refused to be typecast and deliberately chose roles that shattered expectations—like playing a homosexual character in the Marcel Proust adaptation "Swann in Love" (1983) or an alcoholic in Bertrand Blier's drama "Our Story" (1984). He won the César Award (France's equivalent of the Oscar) for this performance.

Personal Life of Alain Delon

"I suffered a lot, I made mistakes sometimes, but I loved," – this is how Alain Delon succinctly described his life in one sentence.

How many women did he love? The actor was officially married three times, with two other women playing major roles in his life.

The number of women in Alain Delon's life is incalculable

We've already covered his relationship with actress Brigitte Auber, who was 10 years older than the young actor. She brought him into the world of cinema, took him to the Cannes Film Festival, sparked his passion for acting fame, and introduced him to major figures in French cinema. Their relationship didn't last long: shortly after the Cannes trip, she grew tired of her increasingly aggressive lover.

Delon met Austrian actress Romy Schneider in 1958 on the set of "Christine" – they couldn't resist each other and soon began a passionate romance. At first, Romy resisted the advances of the little-known actor who lacked manners. Delon wasn't just devilishly handsome and charming – he was also a sharp psychologist who quickly realized that Schneider was trapped in a toxic relationship with her controlling mother. Alain gave Romy the freedom she desperately craved, and soon they went public as a couple.

In 1962, German singer Nico claimed she had an illegitimate son with Delon, but he refused to acknowledge this. Nico soon recorded a cult album with New York's The Velvet Underground and became Andy Warhol's muse. But her drug addiction kept her from being a good mother.

Nico and the illegitimate son of Alain Delon

Delon's parents took pity on Nico and took baby Ari in, giving him the surname Boulogne – much to their son's dismay. As an adult, Ari remembered that his mother wrote letters to her former lover her entire life but never dared send them. Ari died in 2023 from a drug overdose.

The affair with Nico wasn't Delon's only infidelity. Schneider put up with her husband's affairs for a long time but eventually couldn't take the constant humiliation. In 1964, despite their engagement, one of the most beautiful acting couples of the era broke up.

Alain Delon and Natalie Barthelemy with their son Anthony

In 1963, he set out to charm actress Claudia Cardinale while filming "The Leopard." The Italian beauty was one of the few women who could resist the Frenchman's charms. She discovered that Delon and Visconti had made a bet on her and refused to fall for his advances. Maybe that's why Alain and Claudia maintained a warm friendship that lasted for many years.

The actor married for the first time in 1964. The lucky bride was French actress Natalie Barthelemy. She didn't have Romy Schneider's beauty or social polish, but she possessed something Delon had tried unsuccessfully to find in Romy for six years: a sense of adventure and wildness. As Olga Horstig recalled, Delon couldn't be himself – brutal and wild – next to Schneider. "He was like a trained poodle on a leash," Olga claimed. But Natalie let him be himself.

Soon Natalie became pregnant. They married in secret, and a few months later, their son Anthony was born. Delon gave several interviews stating that from now on, his child and family would come first. The honeymoon period lasted three years before the couple started fighting. According to Natalie, she wanted to return to cinema. Sources close to the couple claimed Natalie had been cheating on Delon throughout their marriage.

Anthony Delon, middle son of Alain Delon

So when Stefan Markovic – Delon's friend, bodyguard, and stunt double, as well as Barthelemy's lover – was murdered in fall 1968, police suspected the film star of a crime of passion. The scandal around the actor lasted 18 months, with both him and Natalie being questioned five times. Ultimately, the political theory won out, suggesting Markovic was a pawn in a high-level political scheme designed to frame Prime Minister Georges Pompidou.

Alain Delon was suspected of the murder of Stefan Markovic

Even unproven murder allegations were enough to destroy Alain Delon's reputation. Amid the "Markovic case," he divorced Natalie Barthelemy. Former friends abandoned him, directors wouldn't cast him, and actors refused to work with him. His only close friend remained Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Alain Delon and Jean-Paul Belmondo remain close friends

But then the beautiful Mireille Darc, muse of director Georges Lautner, entered the disgraced actor's life. She managed to reconcile Delon with Romy Schneider, changed his approach to parenting (he had once forced Anthony into a cage with aggressive dogs that attacked everyone except their owner), and stood by him as fallout from the "Markovic case" continued.

She became Delon's rock, supporting every business venture – from opening a riding school and buying an airline to launching restaurants, organizing boxing matches, and creating an exclusive furniture line. As it turned out, almost all of Delon's non-acting ventures failed. His company's planes didn't get permission to fly over France, his thoroughbreds weren't allowed to race, and boxing match organizers were accused of fixing fights.

Alain Delon & Jane Birkin

Their relationship lasted thirteen years. Delon periodically cheated on Mireille and even lived with young French actress Anne Parillaud for a while. But when Darc was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, he came back to her and stayed by her side until she fully recovered in 1980. All the actor could think about was finding the best cardiac surgeons and studying medical literature. After the surgery, he told his beloved: "Nothing and no one will separate us!"

The former spouses have maintained friendly relations

In 1982, Delon left the now-recovered Mireille for Catherine Bleynie, a woman with no ties to show business or the arts. She was indifferent to anything beyond everyday concerns. She was young, but according to Delon's friends, wasn't right for him.

In 1986, Alain began a romance with 21-year-old Dutch model Rosalie Van Breemen. In this relationship, the actor became a father twice more: in 1990, his daughter Anouchka was born, and in 1994, his son Alain-Fabien.

With most of his career behind him, Delon finally seemed ready to focus on his family. But over the years, a rift grew between the spouses. Finally, in 2001, when Delon decided to make himself and his children Swiss residents for tax purposes but "forgot" to include his wife, Rosalie packed up and took the children on the next flight to the Netherlands.

For many years, Delon had a close relationship with Japanese woman Hiromi Rollin. He met her, then an assistant director, in 1990 on the set of the film "Dancing Machine." They later worked together on the film "The Return of Casanova." A close friend of the actor claimed they maintained an intimate relationship for over 30 years and even considered marriage. Hiromi cared for Delon after he suffered two strokes in the summer of 2019.

Delon's closeness with Rollin upset his children. In July 2023, they filed a lawsuit against the woman living at Douchy, Delon's estate, accusing her of overstepping her authority, having ulterior motives, and mistreating the actor. After this, she was evicted from the estate. Hiromi claimed the children rarely visited their father, denied him necessary medications, and were motivated by fear of losing their inheritance.

We had a peaceful life together, surrounded by our beloved dogs and cats... He was happy and asked for nothing more, nor did I. 95% of my life was dedicated to Alain.

She filed a counterclaim, alleging physical force was used during her eviction from Douchy. Both claims were dismissed, but Hiromi has since been barred from entering Douchy.

At the start of 2024, a public scandal erupted – this time, Delon's children were fighting among themselves. 59-year-old Anthony Delon accused his half-sister Anouchka in a Paris-Match interview of hiding their father's cognitive test results. She fired back: "Father can no longer tolerate Anthony's aggressive outbursts – he calls him 'senile.'" Alain-Fabien then jumped into the fray, posting a video on social media showing Anouchka whispering nasty things about her brothers to their father.

The reason for the family discord, as often happens, was Alain Delon's inheritance – estimated at approximately 245 million euros, not counting real estate, a luxury car fleet, and an impressive art collection. According to the will, half of the property should go to Anouchka, with her brothers each receiving a quarter.

Last Years and Death

Alain Delon built his own film studio, acquired luxurious estates, and owned stables, yachts, and an impressive art collection. Factories produced perfumes bearing his name, and his albums were regularly reissued. The actor had built his empire, but he felt lonely within it. Delon yearned to be loved for who he really was, not just seen as the icon created 50 years earlier.

In 2012, Delon appeared as himself in the Russian comedy "Happy New Year, Moms!" and in 2017, he officially announced his retirement from acting.

Alain Delon in his youth and later years (Cannes 2019)

In May 2019, Alain found himself at the center of fresh controversy. The Cannes Film Festival awarded him the "Palme d'Or" for his overall contribution to world cinema. However, American activist Melissa Silverstein, founder of "Women and Hollywood," objected. She cited Delon's statements against same-sex couples adopting children, derogatory remarks about women, and allegations of domestic violence. Thousands of activists signed a petition demanding Delon's award be revoked, but festival organizers stood by their decision.

In summer 2019, the actor suffered two strokes. He also battled blood cancer – diffuse lymphoma – and Alzheimer's disease.

In early 2022, Alain Delon stunned fans by revealing he wanted to end his life through voluntary euthanasia. The actor lived in Switzerland, where the procedure is legal.

At some point, a person can choose to leave on their own terms. Without hospitals and injections – peacefully and quietly.

Alain Delon on euthanasia

In May of that year, several media outlets reported that Alain had followed through on his intentions, but his press secretary denied this.

On August 18, 2024, Alain Delon died peacefully of natural causes. His family made a statement:

Alain-Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, and (dog) Loubo deeply regret to announce the passing of their father after a long illness. He died peacefully at his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and family.

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Photos: Alain Delon