His three children confirmed this morning, Sunday, to Agence France-Presse, the death of their father, noting that he passed away in the early hours of the night.
In a joint statement, his children Alain-Fabian, Anouchka, and Anthony, as well as Lobo (Delon’s dog), announce with deep sadness the passing of their father. “He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and family… who request that his privacy be respected during this painful moment of mourning.”
Alain Delon was beloved by millions of film fans, regardless of his diverse roles as a serial killer, criminal, or hitman at the peak of his post-war career.
Delon, described as a legend of French cinema, made headlines in the summer of 2023 when his three children filed a lawsuit against the star’s home aide, Hiromi Rollin, sometimes said to be his partner, accusing her of “exploiting” their father’s vulnerability.
A family dispute then erupted among Delon’s children, reaching the courts and receiving media coverage, due to the star’s health condition, who was suffering from lymphoma and had a stroke in 2019.
In May 2019, he returned to the Cannes Film Festival red carpet to receive an Honorary Palme d’Or. At the time, the star of “Plein Soleil” (1960), which catapulted him to global fame, “Rocco and His Brothers” (1960), “The Leopard” (1963), and “The Swimming Pool” (1969), said, “It is a posthumous recognition, but in my lifetime.”
Delon’s health had deteriorated since his stroke in 2019, and he rarely left his home in the Val-de-Loire region, according to Reuters. Due to his captivating blue eyes and handsomeness, Delon was sometimes referred to as the “French Frank Sinatra,” a reference to the American-Italian singer and actor, a comparison Delon did not appreciate. Unlike Sinatra, who consistently denied any connection with the mafia, Delon openly expressed his appreciation for his mysterious friends from the criminal world.
Key Dates in Delon’s Life. Here are some of the key dates in the life of French actor Alain Delon:
November 8, 1935: Birth of Alain Delon in Sceaux, a suburb of Paris.
1960: Alain Delon’s rise with “Plein Soleil” by René Clément and “Rocco and His Brothers” by Luchino Visconti, with whom he also made “The Leopard” three years later.
1964: Birth of his first son Anthony from his marriage to Francine Canovas, known as Natalie Delon. He had two more children with model Rosalie Van Bremen, Anouchka, confirmed as his favorite, and Alain-Fabian.
1967: Film “Le Samouraï” by Jean-Pierre Melville.
1969: Film “The Swimming Pool” by Jacques Deray with Romy Schneider, his first great love. Delon collaborated again with Deray the following year in “Borsalino.”
1976: Film “Monsieur Klein” by Joseph Losey, one of the best roles in his career.
1985: César Award for Best Actor for his role in “Notre Histoire” by Bertrand Blier, Delon’s only César.
2019: Honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, before suffering a serious stroke that significantly weakened him.
2023: His three children file a complaint against his assistant Hiromi Rollin for psychological harassment. The complaints are dismissed and the case is closed.
2024: The actor’s children engage in battles in the media and courts. The two sons accuse their sister of manipulating and concealing the truth about their father’s health.
August 18, 2024: Alain Delon’s children announce his death at his home in Douchy.
Editorial Team.