French icon Alain Delon dies at 88, Macron hails his legacy
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, spoke out after the death of actor Alain Delon. The politician called him a "French monument" whose "legendary roles allowed the world to dream."
The death of Alain Delon was reported on Sunday morning by the AFP news agency, citing the actor's children. The artist died at the age of 88 in his home in Douchy.
Delon was placed under judicial protection in January to ensure he received medical care.
In 2019, the actor suffered a stroke. In the final years of Delon's life, his children engaged in a public dispute over the proper care of their father, as well as, according to media reports, the division of the star's estate after his death.
Macron spoke out
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, spoke after the death of Alain Delon. In a post on platform X, he emphasised that the 88-year-old "was more than a star; he was a French monument."
"He lent his unforgettable face to turn our lives upside down. Melancholic, popular, mysterious," wrote Macron.
The AFP agency noted that mainly representatives of the right-wing political scene in France paid tribute to Delon. "A legend has left us. Alain Delon leaves us orphans of the golden age of French cinema, which he so well embodied," declared Marine Le Pen.
AFP wrote that Delon was raised during the Gaullist era—a movement created by President Charles de Gaulle—and was a friend of Jean-Marie Le Pen. He never hid his conservative convictions and closeness to the right wing, which he supported during presidential elections.
