Early Life and Education of Alain Delon: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Alain Delon, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Alain Delon is a French actor, producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman, recognized as a major cultural and cinematic figure of the 20th century. Rising to prominence in the late 1950s, he became a leading European actor and an international sex symbol. Delon's style, appearance, and iconic roles cemented his enduring popularity and status as a French cultural icon.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

March 1904: François Fabien Delon's Birth

On March 12, 1904, Alain Delon's father, François Fabien Delon, was born in Craponne-sur-Arzon.

December 1909: Death of Fabien Delon

Fabien Delon, Alain Delon's paternal great-grandfather, passed away on December 12, 1909, in Figeac (Lot).

April 1911: Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold's Birth

On April 19, 1911, Alain Delon's mother, Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold, was born.

1913: Death of Maria Minard

In 1913, Maria Minard, Alain Delon's maternal grandmother, passed away.

1926: Death of Jean-Marcel Delon

In 1926, Alain Delon's paternal grandfather, Jean-Marcel Delon, passed away in L'Haÿ-les-Roses.

November 1935: Alain Delon's Birth

On November 8, 1935, Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon was born in Sceaux, a suburb of Paris.

1939: Divorce of Delon's Parents

In 1939, Alain Delon's parents divorced when he was four years old. Both parents remarried, leading to Delon having half-siblings and an adopted sister.

1945: Witnessing Pierre Laval's Execution

In 1945, while living with his foster family, Alain Delon heard the salvo that executed wartime collaborator Pierre Laval in Fresnes Prison. The details were later recounted to him.

1946: Return to Birth Parents and Enrollment in Boarding School

In 1946, after the death of his foster parents, Alain Delon was sent back to his birth parents. He was later placed in the Catholic boarding school of Saint-Nicolas d'Igny.

1953: Service at the Bormette Signals School

In 1953, after a stint at the Pont-Réan Maritime Training Centre, Alain Delon continued his service at the Bormette Signals School in the French Navy.

1956: Return to France After Naval Service

In 1956, after his naval service, Alain Delon returned to France. He worked odd jobs and encountered various individuals in Pigalle and Montmartre.

1958: Met Romy Schneider on film set

In 1958, Alain Delon met actress Romy Schneider on the set of the film Christine, marking the beginning of their relationship.

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March 1959: Engagement to Romy Schneider

In March 1959, Alain Delon became engaged to actress Romy Schneider, marking the beginning of their iconic and tumultuous relationship which the media nicknamed them "les amants magnifiques".

1959: Admiration for Jean Marais

During a 1959 interview on the French television program Cinépanorama during the filming of "Rocco and His Brothers", Alain Delon expressed his admiration for Jean Marais, stating that he idolized the actor.

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1959: Death of Alfred Louis Arnold

In 1959, Alain Delon's maternal grandfather, Alfred Louis Arnold, passed away.

1961: Family Reconnection After Rocco and His Brothers

In 1961, Alain Delon's younger brother, Jean-François Delon, reconnected with him after he and their father saw Alain's name on a "Rocco and His Brothers" poster.

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1963: Met Francine Canovas

In 1963, Alain Delon met Francine Canovas, later known as Nathalie Barthélémy, and also had an affair with Marisa Mell.

August 1964: Married Nathalie Barthélémy

On August 13, 1964, Alain Delon married Francine Canovas (Nathalie Barthélémy) due to her pregnancy.

September 1964: Birth of son Anthony Delon

On September 30, 1964, Alain Delon's son, Anthony Delon, was born to Nathalie Barthélémy.

October 1964: Met Ratna Sari Dewi

In October 1964, Alain Delon met Ratna Sari Dewi at the Tokyo Olympics and began a relationship with her.

1964: Relationship with Romy Schneider ended

In 1964, Alain Delon and Romy Schneider ended their highly publicized relationship, although their story continued to captivate audiences.

1965: Affair with Marisa Mell

In 1965, Alain Delon continued his affair with Marisa Mell even after his marriage to Nathalie Barthélémy.

1967: Filed for divorce

In 1967, Alain Delon filed for divorce from Nathalie Barthélémy and met Ratna Sari Dewi in Paris.

August 1968: Met Mireille Darc during film shoot

In August 1968, Alain Delon met Mireille Darc during the shooting of the film Jeff, leading to a relationship.

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February 1969: Divorced Nathalie Barthélémy

On February 14, 1969, Alain Delon and Nathalie Barthélémy divorced.

1969: Expressed shame after de Gaulle's resignation

In 1969, Alain Delon expressed shame and heartbreak after Charles de Gaulle resigned from the French presidency, reaffirming his pride in being French because of de Gaulle.

1974: Supported Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

In 1974, Alain Delon supported center-right candidate Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in his successful presidential campaign.

September 1977: Death of François Fabien Delon

On September 17, 1977, Alain Delon's father, François Fabien Delon, passed away in Le Kremlin-Bicêtre.

1979: Diversified Business Activities and Desire for US Stardom

In 1979, Alain Delon stated that only a quarter of his business activities involved films. He also expressed continued interest in becoming a star in America.

1981: Supported Valéry Giscard d'Estaing reelection

In 1981, Alain Delon supported Valéry Giscard d'Estaing again in his failed attempt to be reelected.

1982: Relationship with Mireille Darc ended

In 1982, Alain Delon's relationship with Mireille Darc ended after lasting several years.

1987: Met Rosalie van Breemen

In 1987, Alain Delon met Dutch model Rosalie van Breemen on the set of the music video for his song "Comme au cinéma", starting a relationship.

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1988: Supported Raymond Barre

In 1988, Alain Delon gave his support to Raymond Barre.

November 1990: Birth of Anouchka Delon

On November 25, 1990, Alain Delon and Rosalie van Breemen had their first child, Anouchka Delon.

March 1994: Birth of Alain-Fabien Delon

On March 18, 1994, Alain Delon and Rosalie van Breemen had their second child, Alain-Fabien Delon.

June 1995: Death of Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold

On June 20, 1995, Alain Delon's mother, Édith Marie Suzanne Arnold, passed away in Jouy-en-Josas.

1999: Acquired Swiss Citizenship

In 1999, Alain Delon acquired Swiss citizenship, and the company managing products sold under his name was based in Geneva.

2001: Relationship with Rosalie van Breemen ended

In 2001, Alain Delon's relationship with Rosalie van Breemen ended.

2007: Supported Nicolas Sarkozy

In 2007, Alain Delon gave his support to Nicolas Sarkozy.

2017: Endorsed François Fillon

In 2017, Alain Delon endorsed Gaullist candidate François Fillon, but did not vote in the second run-off between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.

June 2019: Suffered a stroke

In June 2019, Alain Delon suffered a stroke and was hospitalized after experiencing dizziness and headaches.

August 2019: Recovering in Swiss hospital

In August 2019, Alain Delon was recovering in a Swiss hospital following his stroke.

2019: Cognitive Tests

Between 2019 and 2022, Alain Delon underwent five cognitive tests. Anouchka was accused of concealing these results from the family.

2021: Expressed support for euthanasia

In 2021, Alain Delon expressed support for euthanasia, calling it "the most logical and natural thing".

September 2022: Began experimental lymphoma treatment

In September 2022, Alain Delon began experimental treatment for a slow-progressing lymphoma.

September 2022: Interview with Zelensky

In September 2022, Alain Delon interviewed Ukrainian President Zelensky as part of a TV5Monde special about the war in Ukraine, called Face à Zelensky, expressing his support for the Ukrainian people.

2022: Cognitive Tests

Between 2019 and 2022, Alain Delon underwent five cognitive tests. Anouchka was accused of concealing these results from the family.

2022: Endorsed Valérie Pécresse

In 2022, Alain Delon endorsed Valérie Pécresse, calling her "the only woman he wants to be president".

2022: Invited to Ukraine by Zelenskyy

In 2022, Alain Delon was invited by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to travel to Ukraine.

2022: Discussed end-of-life wishes

In 2022, Alain Delon's son Anthony revealed that Alain had requested to be removed from life support if he fell into a coma, but reports of imminent euthanasia were denied.

2023: Treatment stopped by children

In the summer of 2023, Alain Delon's three children decided to stop his experimental lymphoma treatment, as it was weakening him.

January 2024: Reports of poor health and family feud

In January 2024, Alain Delon was reported to be in poor health, leading a reclusive lifestyle, and a public feud arose between his children regarding his health and cognitive test results.

April 2024: Reinforced guardianship placed

In April 2024, Alain Delon was placed under reinforced guardianship by judicial decision, granting the curator power to manage his expenses, after a hearing attended by his children. He had been under guardianship since January 25.

August 2024: Alain Delon's Death

Alain Delon passed away on August 18, 2024. He was a renowned French actor, film producer, screenwriter, singer, and businessman.

August 2024: Death at age 88

On August 18, 2024, Alain Delon died at his home in Douchy at the age of 88, surrounded by family members. He had been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma earlier in the year.