French cinema legend Alain Delon has passed away

Alain Delon, a legend of French cinema who starred in more than 90 films throughout his career, has passed away at the age of 88.

The veteran actor's children confirmed the news of his death.

In a statement made to AFP, his three children reported that their father died following a battle with illness. 

The statement included the words: “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, and his dog Loubo are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father. He passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family,” while noting that the family has requested privacy.

The actor's health had deteriorated in recent years following a stroke in 2019. According to French media, Delon was also suffering from another serious, undisclosed medical condition.

THE INHERITANCE DISPUTE AMONG HIS CHILDREN

The inheritance dispute between the three children of Alain Delon, whose health had been declining, had become a matter of public interest. 

His sons, Anthony and Alain-Fabien, claim that their sister, Anouchka, manipulated their father and concealed his health status. Anouchka, on the other hand, says that her brothers put their father's life in danger and prevented him from moving to Switzerland.

The actor's children are engaged in a legal battle against one another, involving insults, accusations, and secret recordings that have been leaked to the press. 

Delon's last public appearance as an actor was at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where he was awarded the Honorary Palme d'Or. 

WHO IS ALAIN DELON?

Born on November 8, 1935, Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon is known as one of Europe's most important actors.

Bringing the sex symbols of the 1960s and 1970s to the screen, Delon received great acclaim in films such as Rocco and His Brothers (1960), Plein Soleil (1960), L'Eclisse (1962), The Leopard (1963), The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1965), Lost Command (1966), and Le Samouraï (1967).

Throughout his career, Delon worked with many renowned directors such as Luchino Visconti, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Pierre Melville, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Louis Malle. He acquired Swiss citizenship in 1999.

He had a difficult childhood, as his parents separated when he was still a young child.

He had the opportunity to work with world-famous directors such as Luchino Visconti, Jean-Pierre Melville, and Michelangelo Antonioni.

In 2006, he disappointed those waiting for him by announcing on the final day that he would not be able to attend the Istanbul Film Festival. At the same time, Delon also canceled a theater play due to a heart condition.

He purchased the manuscripts of General De Gaulle and donated them to the Invalides museum. Furthermore, the actor, who was passionately devoted to animals, wrote an open letter to the President of China regarding the mistreatment of animals at the request of Brigitte Bardot's foundation.

He has three children named Anthony, Anouchka, and Alain-Fabien. His paternal grandmother was Corsican. His father's side was from Southern France, and his mother's side was from the Alsace region. The actor, who possessed a large collection of paintings and sculptures, lived with his animals on his vast estate in the village of Douchy.