Brigitte Bardot has paid tribute to her friend and co-star Alain Delon, who has passed away at the age of 88.
A towering figure of French cinema, Delon was renowned for his tough-guy roles in classics like *The Samurai* and *Borsalino*. In recent years, his health had declined, and he had largely retreated from the public eye, with his family troubles also making news in France.
Bardot expressed her deep sorrow, noting that Delon's death has left a "huge void that nothing and no one will be able to fill."
Often hailed as the most beautiful man in cinema, Alain Delon captivated audiences with his performances in 1960s classics like *The Leopard* and *Rocco and His Brothers*. Whether portraying a murderer or a charming conman, he won hearts with his versatile roles.
Although his film appearances became less frequent from the 1990s onwards, he continued to be a prominent figure in the celebrity spotlight. Over the course of his illustrious career, Delon appeared in nearly 90 films.
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Delon on Sunday, praising him for "playing legendary roles and making the world dream." In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Macron described Delon as "melancholy, popular, secretive—more than a star, he was a French monument."
In a statement, his family shared: "Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, and Loubo (his dog) are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their beloved father. He died peacefully at his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and family."
Le Parisien hailed Delon as “a legend of cinema,” while Liberation characterized him as “a leading figure of cinema, a symbol of enigmatic masculinity, and an actor with extraordinary charisma.”
Brigitte Bardot, in a statement to AFP, described Delon as embodying "the best of France's 'prestige cinema'," calling him "an ambassador of elegance, talent, and beauty. I have lost a friend, an alter ego, and a partner."
Delon's final major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.
At the event, Delon delivered an emotional speech that seemed to mark his farewell to cinema. "It's a bit of a posthumous tribute, but from my lifetime," he said. "I am going to leave, but I won’t depart without expressing my thanks."
Gilles Jacob, former president of the Cannes Film Festival, referred to Delon as "a lion... an actor with a steely gaze," while Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, praised him as an "icon" who had ascended "to the Olympus of the immortals."
For decades, the French public closely followed the highs and lows of Delon’s illustrious career and equally dramatic personal life through Paris-Match and other magazines. His colorful personal life frequently made headlines as he charmed his way across Europe at the peak of his fame.
However, Delon also faced criticism. His support for Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, who advocated for the death penalty and opposed same-sex marriage, drew disapproval. Additionally, his relationships with women sparked controversy and accusations of misogyny.
Recently, the disintegration of Alain Delon's family has been widely reported in France. The actor had three children—two sons and a daughter—with two different women, and a third son who was unacknowledged and has since passed away.
In recent years, his surviving children have aired their grievances in the media, leading to a series of public insults, accusations, lawsuits, and secret recordings. Disputes have arisen over his medical treatment following a stroke in 2019, and conflicts have also involved Hiromi Rollin, Delon's former housekeeper. After being dismissed by Delon's children last year, Rollin filed a lawsuit against them, alleging that they endangered Delon's life by denying him necessary medications.
Tributes have been left outside the actor's property in DouchyIn April of this year, a judge imposed "reinforced curatorship" on Alain Delon, restricting his ability to manage his own assets. Earlier in February, Delon made headlines when French police confiscated 72 firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition from his residence. Prosecutors indicated that he lacked a gun license. Additionally, a shooting range was discovered at his mansion in Douchy-Montcorbon.
BBC News has reached out to Delon's representatives for comment. CLICK HERE