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On August 18, local time, three children of French film star Alain Delon revealed to AFP the news of his death at the age of 88. Thus, a generation of superstars bid farewell to the world, leaving behind his legend in the film industry and his personal secret past.

Alain Delon had an unfortunate childhood. He was born in an ordinary family in France in 1935. His parents divorced when he was 4 years old, and soon they both remarried. Alain Delon sometimes lived with his father and stepmother, sometimes with his mother and stepfather, and was also given to the care of a nursery aunt. He also lived in prison for a period of time with her husband, a prison guard.

His mother remarried a pork shop owner, and his stepfather was not kind to him, but Alain Delon's life ideal was to become a butcher. As a teenager, after changing 17 schools due to misconduct, Alain Delon worked many jobs to survive. He sold coffee, worked as a waiter, and also worked odd jobs in his stepfather's butcher shop. He joined the army, but was expelled after being stripped of all military ranks because he stole a jeep and had a car accident.

However, Alain Delon, who was "pursued by God to have a good life", soon had a turning point in his life. He was spotted by director Yves Allegre and played a small role in the movie "When Women Are Involved", and successfully made his "godly face" aggressively break into the film industry through this movie. Alain Delon is also known as "the most handsome face since the invention of the camera".

Movie poster for When Women Get Involved

Alain Delon really entered the eyes of Chinese audiences in 1978 when the movie "Zorro" was introduced to the mainland. Zorro in a black robe and the iconic "Z" became an immortal spiritual symbol that left a deep impression on Chinese audiences. Zorro played by Alain Delon made the image of a Western knight deeply rooted in people's hearts and resonated with the image of chivalry in the East.

According to conservative estimates, 70 million people in China watched the film "Zorro" that year. In 1987, Alain Delon was invited to visit many cities in China, setting off a wave of star-chasing. When a welcome party was held at the Beijing Capital Gymnasium, in an era when the average wage per capita was less than 100 yuan, tickets were scalped from 4 yuan to 50 yuan, and it was still hard to get a ticket.

Movie poster of Zorro

Alain Delon, who has made achievements in the film industry, has also attracted much attention for his personal life. In 1958, he became famous for his collaboration with German national treasure actress Romy Schneider in the love movie "Flower Moon and Heartbreak", and he also forged a deep bond with Romy. Despite her family's opposition, Romy resolutely changed her flight ticket to France to follow Alain Delon. The language barrier did not affect their sweet and happy time, and the two got engaged in 1959.

Stills from the movie "Flower Moon Heartbreak"

Unfortunately, Romy Schneider's mother's words came true: "A man like Alain Delon could not belong to a woman." In 1963, French model and singer Nico appeared on the cover of a magazine holding a baby and claimed that the child's father was Alain Delon. The French media went wild, and Alain Delon was under a lot of pressure. He never acknowledged this illegitimate child in his life, and even said that he did not want a DNA test after his death.

Alain Delon, who was already engaged to Romy at the time, chose to run away. He left a note for Romy Schneider and left. After that, Alain Delon married actress Nathalie and had a son. But this marriage only lasted a few years and ended in failure. Alain Delon was also involved in the "Malkovich incident" and became the number one suspect. From a star to a criminal suspect, Alain Delon's status plummeted. The case ended with no prosecution and became a historical mystery.

Alain Delon has had many women since then. He was in love with Dutch model Rosalie for 15 years and had a son and a daughter, but they never got married. Rosalie later married someone else.

Perhaps it was the tragic childhood experience that made Alain Delon's emotions unstable. He could not stabilize his heart, just like he had never received a safe haven from others when he was a child. Alain Delon's inner desire for love was much more than he could give. So when the responsibilities of reality exceeded his tolerance, he would choose to escape.

As an actor, Alain Delon is undoubtedly lucky. From the fake rich boy Tom in "The Wrath of the Sea", to playing two roles in "The Black Tulip" - the legendary hero "The Black Tulip" Count Guillaume and his brother Julien, to playing the cold-blooded killer Jeff in "Le Samouraille", he has left many classic roles on the screen.

His career can be described as long-lasting. He was selected by a director at the age of 22, and later had the opportunity to work with Italian neo-realist directors Visconti and Antonioni. The masterpiece "Zorro" that helped him further gain international fame was released when he was 40 years old.

Stills from the movie "Lone Ranger"

Alain Delon left nearly 90 films for the audience in his lifetime, and his name has been forever engraved in the history of film. He has won the French Film César Award for Best Actor, the Berlin International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, the Cannes International Film Festival Honorary Palme d'Or, etc. From youth to middle age and old age, from being uninterested in acting to becoming a generation of superstars, Alain Delon has gained a large number of fans all over the world. He is lucky and talented.

In his later years, Alain Delon suffered from illness and felt lonely because of the passing of people around him. In 2008, the French Cesar Award was awarded to Romy Schneider, who had been dead for nearly 30 years. Alain Delon, with gray hair on his temples, choked up as the award presenter and said, "Because you will be 70 years old this year, because we were engaged 50 years ago, and because we swam together in the movie "Swimming Pool" 40 years ago. Because we have been happy and unhappy. Because it is you, because it is me, that's why."

At this point, half a century later, Alain Delon finally admitted that his true love was Romy Schneider. When he sorted out his belongings in his later years, he still kept many items related to Romy Schneider. Unfortunately, the note representing cowardice had been known for many years, but unfortunately, time has changed and everything has become a relic.

Alain Delon would also regret that he did not marry Romy Schneider, but no matter what the reason was, they were not destined to be together in this life.

In 2022, Alain Delon's announcement that he would consider euthanasia attracted worldwide attention. A generation of superstars began to leave the stage and the world in their own way.

Alain Delon once told his eldest son, Antoine Delon, "If my life depends on electricity, I hope you will not hesitate to unplug it." He also said, "I have everything in my life except happiness."

Looking back on his later years, when he was suffering from both illness and mental torture, Alain Delon came to a regrettable conclusion.

Looking back at Alain Delon's legendary life. Although he was a brilliant actor, he lacked happiness in life. Fortunately, Alain Delon did not need euthanasia. It is reported that he passed away peacefully with his children by his side.

In this way, a superstar bid farewell to the world he once painted, and the calmness at the end made up for the misfortune at the beginning.

The stories reported by the media are much more monotonous and boring than his 88 years of life. His rich stories are still left for future generations to complete and imagine. His deeds are still left for future generations to comment on.

Those classic characters on the big screen carry the memories of a generation and will be remembered and cherished by future generations.

Familiar faces fade away one by one, announcing the slow end of an era.

Stills from the movie Zorro

Goodbye, the superstar in the history of world cinema, the eternal Zorro - Alain Delon.

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