Alain Delon, recognised as an icon of French cinema, became a symbol of masculine beauty and charisma, but his life was full of dark sides, scandals and cruelty, which faded into the background in light of his acting success.
Contents
- Difficult childhood
- Problems in the army
- The beginning of his career
- Toxic relationships
- The scandal surrounding the murder of his bodyguard
- Links to crime
- Cruelty towards women
- Rejection of his son
- Conflicts with his children
- Sadistic parenting methods
- Obsession with weapons and paranoia
- Narcissism and self-love
- Scandalous will
- Cruelty in later years
Difficult childhood
Born in 1935, he was traumatised by his parents’ divorce, which led to him being placed in a foster family. The feeling of abandonment became unbearable for him, and he often felt like an outsider, even after returning to his biological family, where he was not the favourite child.
Problems in the army
His military service was marked by a series of disciplinary offences, including theft and violations. During his service, he spent almost a year in the guardhouse, after which he was dishonourably discharged.
The beginning of his career
His film career did not start from scratch. He used his connections to break into the film industry, including his relationships with women and influential people. His role in the film In the Bright Sun became a turning point after he insisted on being approved for the lead role of Tom Ripley, threatening to walk away if he wasn’t.
Toxic relationship
His relationship with actress Romy Schneider became painful and destructive. He was unable to remain faithful to her, frequently cheated on her, and also resorted to physical violence. Romy did not survive this relationship and died prematurely, which many attribute to her painful attachment to Delon. Schneider collectibles
The bodyguard murder scandal
In 1968, Delon’s bodyguard, Stefan Markovic, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. A letter found in his apartment stated that Delon and a Corsican mafioso may have been involved in the murder. However, the investigation found no evidence of the actor’s guilt.
Links to crime
He openly communicated with the Corsican mafia, as evidenced by his relationships with gangsters and accusations of organising illegal matches and arms trafficking. This made his life even more scandalous, despite his popularity.
Cruelty towards women
Many of the women with whom he was involved suffered physical abuse. His former partner Rosalie van Bremen was the victim of severe beatings, and his relationship with Hiromi Rolland was accompanied by threats and violence.
Rejection of his son
He refused to acknowledge his son, born to German singer Nico, despite evidence of paternity. This rejection left a deep wound in the life of the boy, who died of an overdose in 2023 without ever receiving recognition from his father.
Conflicts with his children
Delon kept his children under strict control. He sued his eldest son Anthony for using his name in a brand. In recent years, his children have been fighting over his inheritance, accusing each other of greed and manipulation.
Sadistic parenting methods
His relationship with his children was characterised by cruelty. Alain-Fabien recounted how his father locked him in a cage with dogs, while Anthony recalled how he was beaten with a leather whip for misbehaviour. These parenting methods left an indelible mark on their psyche.
Obsession with weapons and paranoia
He was obsessed with weapons and collected them. In his later years, he slept with a gun under his pillow, which was a manifestation of his paranoia and fear of possible revenge from criminal elements.
Narcissism and self-love
Delon was a prime example of narcissism. He carefully collected albums of photographs of himself, often watching himself in the mirror so as not to forget what he looked like in his youth. His lifestyle emphasised a constant need for admiration and recognition.
Controversial will
After his death, he left a will that caused family conflicts. His children accused each other of manipulating his estate, and the battle for his inheritance continued even after his death.
Cruelty in recent years
In his old age, suffering from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, he remained aggressive. He accused his carer Hiromi Rollan of mistreating him, but admitted that he had beaten her in response to her actions, which only confirms his violent nature, which did not disappear with age.
