The Reclusive Life of Alain Delon: A Hollywood Icon’s Quiet Struggle
Alain Delon, once celebrated as one of the most stunning men in Hollywood, now lives a very private life after suffering a stroke. At 88 years old, the legendary French actor who used to light up the screen is now far from the glamorous world he once ruled.
In 2019, Delon experienced a stroke, just weeks after receiving an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Since then, he has retreated from the public eye, living quietly in his grand estate, La Brûlerie, nestled in central France. This sprawling mansion is protected by a massive stone wall that stretches 2.4 miles (2.3 km) and is located near the small village of Douchy-Montcorbon, about 87 miles (140 km) southeast of Paris.
Delon’s estate is not just a home; it’s also where he has planned to rest for eternity. He has built a private cemetery on his grounds, where more than thirty of his beloved dogs are buried, alongside a chapel for his final resting place.
Even though Delon lives in France, he divides his time between his Douchy estate, a sleek apartment in Geneva, and a workspace in Paris. But his reclusive lifestyle hasn’t shielded him from family drama.
Delon’s three children—Anthony, Alain-Fabien, and Anouchka—are embroiled in a public feud over their father’s health and fortune. Their bitter arguments and legal battles have grabbed headlines and stirred up a lot of media attention.
Christophe Ayela, Delon’s lawyer, has tried to ease the tension. “It must end, and everyone must become calm. That’s enough for now,” he has urged, hoping to bring peace to the fractured family.
Adding fuel to the fire is Delon’s open favoritism toward his daughter, Anouchka. The actor has admitted, “I have a daughter who is the love of my life, maybe a little too much in comparison to the others.” In 2008, he also said, “I have said I love you to no other woman so often.” This favoritism seems to have created rifts between Delon and his sons, who may feel overshadowed.
Anouchka has shown deep affection for her father, recently sharing a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. Along with a photo of them together, she wrote in French, “Friday morning I took a picture of my dad, for myself.
A remembrance of our times. Breakfast with him fills me with unending gratitude. A singularly lovely moment.” She described him as “handsome” and praised his “vivid” and “fighting” spirit, calling him her “personal eternal.”
Her post drew many responses from fans and fellow celebrities. One fan commented, “As always, he is stunning and gorgeous. Please remain by his side; he needs you more than anybody. I know you adore your father and are very protective of him.” French actor Gilles Marini also said, “Remain near, brimming with affection. Nothing more is important.”
Despite their disagreements, Anouchka and her brothers agree on one thing: ensuring their father’s financial and medical needs are properly managed. In March, they requested a “reinforced curatorship” for Delon, which was approved on April 4. This means a curator will now oversee Delon’s finances and make decisions about his health care.
It’s still unclear who will take on this role. It might be Hiromi Rollin, known as Delon’s “lady in waiting,” or one of his children. Another concern is what will happen to Delon’s business, Alain Delon International Diffusion SA, where he is president and Anouchka is vice president. With the curatorship in place, Delon will no longer be able to make decisions for the company.
Despite these issues, Delon is more focused on the present. In a 2021 interview, he revealed his desire to make one final film, hoping it will be his best yet. “In my life what I loved most was being Alain Delon, the actor Alain Delon,” he said. Reflecting on his career, he added, “Observe Purple Noon and Rocco [And His Brothers]! Every woman was enamored with me.”
Delon’s fascination with his own allure began in the 1950s. “I became aware that everybody was staring at me. Women started to inspire me. To them, I owe everything,” he said. Delon’s ambition to “look better than anyone else” earned him the title of “most seductive man in cinema” by age 25.
In his prime, Delon was often compared to Brigitte Bardot, another iconic figure of French cinema. Bardot, known as BB, was celebrated for her beauty and confidence. Playboy magazine even ranked her among the top female stars of the 20th century. She has also been a passionate advocate for animal rights.
Bardot married Bernard d’Ormale in August 1992 in a secret ceremony, just a few close friends in attendance. Since then, they have been happily married. Bernard has been a constant support for Brigitte, especially during health scares.
In 1992, when rumors surfaced that she had overdosed on sedatives, Bernard reassured the public, saying, “Brigitte was overwhelmed with fatigue and took too much medication to go to sleep. After a few hours, she was fine and had not had her stomach pumped.”
More recently, Brigitte faced respiratory issues due to an intense heatwave, but Bernard explained that the problem was related to the heat and age. Despite media speculation, Brigitte assured everyone in a handwritten message, “I want to reassure everyone. I’m doing great right now. The disease that I contracted was a source of scandal for the press.”
Both Alain Delon and Brigitte Bardot, icons of French cinema, have navigated their own personal challenges while remaining figures of fascination and admiration.
