From Stardom to Seclusion: The Life of Alain Delon
Alain Delon, once hailed as one of the most handsome men in Hollywood, now leads a very private life after suffering a stroke. The 88-year-old French actor, known for his striking looks and captivating screen presence, has retreated from the limelight, living a secluded life far from his Hollywood fame.
After his stroke in 2019, Delon, who had just been honored with a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, chose to withdraw from the public eye. He now resides in a grand estate called La Brûlerie in central France. This sprawling property is surrounded by a massive 2.4-mile (2.3 km) stone wall and is located near the village of Douchy-Montcorbon, about 87 miles (140 km) southeast of Paris.
Not only is this estate Delon’s home, but it’s also the site of his planned resting place. He has created a cemetery on his grounds where over thirty of his beloved dogs are buried. The estate features a private chapel, marking his final resting place as he envisioned it.
Although Delon calls France home, he splits his time between his estate in Douchy, an apartment in Geneva, and a workspace in Paris. His reclusive lifestyle has not shielded him from family turmoil, though.
Delon’s three children—Anthony, Alain-Fabien, and Anouchka—have been embroiled in public disputes over their father’s health and estate. Their arguments have been highly visible, drawing significant media attention.
Christophe Ayela, Delon’s lawyer, has stepped in to try to calm the situation. “It must end, and everyone must become calm. That’s enough for now,” Ayela has urged, trying to mediate the conflict.
The situation is further complicated by Delon’s open favoritism toward his daughter, Anouchka. He has publicly admitted, “I have a daughter who is the love of my life, maybe a little too much in comparison to the others.”
He also once said, “I have said I love you to no other woman so often.” This favoritism seems to have added fuel to the fire of family tensions, with some observers suggesting that Delon’s sons feel like they are competing for their father’s affection.
Anouchka, for her part, has shown deep affection for her father. She recently shared a touching tribute to him on Instagram, including 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, ending with, “My personal eternal.”
The public’s response to Anouchka’s post shows just how much people care about Delon. Fans and fellow celebrities, like actor Gilles Marini, have expressed their support and urged for Delon to remain surrounded by love and care.
Despite the family squabbles, Anouchka and her brothers agree on one thing: ensuring their father’s financial and medical needs are met. Earlier this year, they requested a “reinforced curatorship” for Delon, which was approved on April 4.
This means a curator will now manage Delon’s finances and health care decisions. It remains unclear who will take on this role—whether it will be Hiromi Rollin, Delon’s “lady in waiting,” or one of his children.
The future of Delon’s business, Alain Delon International Diffusion SA, where he is president and Anouchka is vice president, is also uncertain. With the curatorship in place, Delon will no longer be able to make decisions for the company.
However, Delon is focused on the present. In a 2021 interview, he expressed his desire to make one final film, which he hopes will be his best yet. Reflecting on his career, he said, “In my life what I loved most was being Alain Delon, the actor Alain Delon.” He added, “Observe Purple Noon and Rocco [And His Brothers]! Every woman was enamored with me.”
Delon’s rise to fame began in the 1950s when he first noticed the attention he was receiving from women. “I became aware that everybody was staring at me. Women started to inspire me. To them, I owe everything,” he said. His quest to “look better than anyone else” earned him the title of “most seductive man in cinema” by the age of 25.
Delon’s journey from a glamorous Hollywood star to a reclusive elder is a poignant reminder of the highs and lows of fame and family. As he navigates these final years, his legacy remains a topic of fascination and admiration for many.
