The Early Life of Alain Delon: From Troubled Childhood to Rising Star
On November 8, 1935, in a small Parisian suburb not far from Notre Dame Cathedral, a boy was born who would one day be hailed as one of the most strikingly handsome men of his era: Alain Delon.
A Childhood Between Two Homes
Alain’s mother worked as a pharmacist, while his father pursued business opportunities, including opening a cinema. For a time, his mother even worked as a cashier there. But when Alain was only three years old, his parents’ marriage ended. Both eventually remarried, giving Alain half-siblings on both sides.
His stepfather ran a butcher shop, where his mother also began working. With their busy schedules, they hired a nanny to care for him. For much of his childhood, Alain shifted between two households. At first, he enjoyed the change, but over time, he admitted that it left him feeling like he belonged to neither.
A Troubled Student
School life was far from smooth. Alain was restless, often mischievous, and repeatedly expelled, which forced him to attend several different schools. Academic discipline never suited him, and his rebellious streak often overshadowed his studies.
Early Work and Army Service
After leaving school, Alain tried his hand at learning a trade. He trained briefly as a butcher but left after only three months to work in a store. Later, he joined the French Army, an experience he would later credit with shaping his discipline and character.
Upon returning to civilian life, Alain worked as a waiter—a humble step that would precede his eventual discovery and rise to international fame.