Secret Recordings and Public Feuds Among Heirs: What Alain Delon’s Final Years Were Like

Since suffering a stroke in 2019, the legendary actor Alain Delon has rarely left his estate, “La Brulerie,” in central France. Today, Delon passed away at the age of 89 at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. The world has mourned the loss of this legend of French cinema, known for his striking blue eyes that captivated women globally.

Alain Delon spent his final years almost immobile due to the stroke, while his immediate family members battled in court over his care. Over his career spanning more than half a century, Delon starred in 90 films, drawing millions to the cinema. However, his “last role” was the most challenging as he found himself in a real-life drama, similar to a Shakespearean tragedy, with his three children, Anthony, Anouchka, and Alain-Fabien, publicly feuding, accusing, and belittling the renowned actor.

Earlier this year, Delon even threatened to sue his son Anthony, who publicly claimed that Alain was “tired of everything” and struggling to accept his deteriorating health. Anthony stated in an interview that his father “doesn’t talk much, gets tired or annoyed when we make him repeat himself, as his voice is no longer clear or audible.”

Since his stroke, Delon had rarely left his estate, “La Brulerie,” about 140 kilometers southeast of Paris. Delon expressed his desire to be buried there, near a chapel built on the cemetery he created for over 30 of his beloved dogs.

Until about a year ago, Delon lived there with Hiromi Rollin, his last romantic partner. However, his children managed to drive her away from his life and the estate. In one of the few instances where Delon’s children acted in unison, they accused Rollin of “taking advantage of their father’s weakness,” while she accused them of wanting to kill him by discontinuing his treatment. Lawyers were involved, accusations flew, and eventually, Rollin retreated and left.

Delon’s children also attracted media attention when Anthony, whose mother Nathalie was Delon’s only wife, accused his half-sister Anouchka, the daughter of Dutch model and journalist Rosalie van Breemen, of “lying” and manipulating due to allegedly hiding the results of cognitive tests that Swiss doctors had conducted on their father. Anouchka immediately hit back at her half-brother through the media, while Delon’s lawyer stated that the actor was furious over the “media storm” created by his eldest son. However, Delon’s other son, Alain-Fabien, defended Anthony and secretly recorded his sister allegedly “whispering all sorts of things to their father and misleading him.” This led to more TV appearances, accusations, and articles.

A public prosecutor intervened, ordering a medical examination for Delon and suggesting that he be placed under court protection after it was suggested that the actor had “lost all judgment.” Delon’s lawyer and children strongly opposed this, but the examination was carried out, and Delon proved that his mind was still functioning.

Contrary to popular belief, money was not the reason for the public clashes among Delon’s heirs. According to earlier media reports, Delon had decided to leave half of his wealth to his daughter, with the other half to be shared between his sons. While this might sound unfair, his sons claimed they did not challenge their father’s wishes.

Anthony and Alain-Fabien had difficult relationships with their father, and both had brushes with drugs and weapons. Delon’s third son, Ari Boulogne, born to a German rock star and whom Delon never acknowledged, was partially raised by Delon’s mother. Ari passed away in 2023 after a long struggle with drug addiction.

Le Monde suggested that due to his “turbulent childhood,” Delon was incapable of establishing relationships with his sons. Delon was four years old when his parents divorced, and he was sent to foster care. He was expelled from six schools after that.

Delon served in the French Navy at 17 and fought in the Indochina War but was court-martialed for stealing a jeep. Upon returning to Paris, he lived among prostitutes and gangsters in the late 1950s before being discovered as an actor.

After a five-year relationship with Romy Schneider, Delon married Nathalie, who was then pregnant with Anthony, in 1964. The couple divorced four years later. Delon’s relationships with women were notorious, including convincing two actresses—Mireille Darc and Madly Bami—to engage in a “threesome” in the late 1960s, stating that he couldn’t decide which one he loved more.

Delon never hid that Anouchka was his favorite child. “I’ve never told any other woman ‘I love you’ as often,” he said in 2008, and a decade later, he declared that his daughter was the love of his life.

It was said that Delon’s turbulent relationship with Anthony and Alain-Fabien, both of whom are also actors, stemmed from his viewing them as rivals.