Alain Delon Once Found Life ‘Unbearable’ & Asked His Son to Assist in His Final Moments, but He Refused – Details

Alain Delon was a star and was once known as one of the most handsome men in the world. However, in his later years, he lost everyone he loved and preferred to stay out of the spotlight.

Before his death, Alain did not want to leave anything to chance and even asked one of his sons for a favor. Though his son refused him, the actor still did things his way and even left behind a farewell message.

A Life Marked by Loss and a Struggle with Mortality

Alain, a cinematic icon renowned for his striking looks and intense screen presence, became a defining figure in French and international cinema. Born in Sceaux, France, in 1935, he shot to fame during the 1960s, captivating audiences with his roles in films like “Purple Noon,” “Le Samouraï,” “The Leopard,” “L’Eclisse,” and more.

Known for his portrayal of enigmatic anti-heroes, Alain was often seen as the embodiment of cool detachment. However, behind this public persona was a man who endured profound personal loss and grappled with the darker aspects of life as he aged.

Alain’s career soared throughout the decades, and by the time he reached his later years, many of his closest friends and loved ones had passed away, leaving him to confront the harsh realities of life as one gets older.

In a candid interview in May 2020, Alain reflected on how these losses left him feeling that life was no longer worth living. He remarked that life had become “unbearable” and that he no longer desired to continue.

Alain’s grief was compounded by the deaths of friends such as Jean-Paul Belmondo and the women who played significant roles in his life, including Romy Schneider and Mireille Darc.

Beyond these personal tragedies, Alain also faced severe health challenges. In June 2019, he suffered a stroke that almost took his life. Recounting the incident, Alain described how he suddenly felt unwell one evening and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

Unaware of the gravity of his condition at the time, he only learned afterward that he had suffered a stroke. However, even when the doctors and relatives thought he would die, the Frenchman survived. He later quipped, “I don’t die so easily!”

This health scare coincided with the onset of the global pandemic, which Alain saw as yet another symbol of a world spiraling into chaos. In his reflections, the actor expressed bewilderment at witnessing the state of the world, comparing it to the trauma of seeing Paris under German occupation during World War II.

Alain’s isolation also deepened as time went on. Despite his fame and wealth, he confessed to being alone for most of his life. He attributed this solitude to his upbringing, personal choices, and a genuine preference for staying by himself.

He often found solace in the companionship of his pets, particularly his dogs, whom he described as more understanding and empathetic than most humans.

While he had children, including his son Anthony Delon, Alain admitted that he didn’t see them often. Their lives had taken different paths, leaving the Frenchman largely on his own during his final years.

The pain of losing loved ones intensified in January 2021, when Nathalie Delon, Alain’s first wife, and Anthony’s mother, passed away. Their son shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, with a caption that read, “Rest in peace ❤️Nathalie Delon 1941 – 2021.”

Nathalie, who had shared the screen with Alain in “Le Samouraï,” succumbed to cancer in Paris, surrounded by her family. Reflecting on her passing, Alain described her as “the only Madame Delon.”

In his final visits with Nathalie, the two shared moments of quiet understanding, sitting in silence as Alain watched the woman he once loved slip away. “I was looking at her. I was watching her leave,” the French star shared.

A Father’s Final Wish Denied by Son

Alain was never shy about expressing his support for euthanasia. The actor spent much of his later life in Switzerland, where the practice is legal. The French star openly stated that he found assisted suicide to be a dignified and rational choice for those facing the hardships of aging and illness.

He envisioned a peaceful departure, surrounded by friends, with a doctor providing a simple injection to end his life. “[…] It is over gently,” the movie star said.

He believed that once a person reaches a certain stage in life, they should have the right to leave on their own terms, free from unnecessary suffering. For the actor, this conviction grew stronger with age, particularly as he felt increasingly out of place in a world he no longer recognized.

He referenced a touching line from French writer Jacques Laurent, “A world that suited me yesterday and that no longer suits me, that hardly resembles me. I will have fewer regrets in leaving it.”

Alain echoed this sentiment, noting that as time passed, his connection to life had weakened, leading him to contemplate suicide more frequently. He admitted that during his successful career, such thoughts had rarely crossed his mind.

But as the Frenchman neared his end, he found the idea of a controlled exit increasingly appealing. In the final years of his life, Alain took steps to prepare for his eventual passing, even going so far as to ask his son, Anthony, to serve as his executor when the time came.

However, this request placed an immense burden on Anthony, who ultimately decided he could not fulfill it. Anthony acknowledged the weight of his father’s wishes but was not willing to bear the responsibility of carrying them out.

Anthony’s decision was influenced by his own experience with his mother, who had also considered euthanasia. He had supported his mother’s decision to take control of her own death and was prepared to accompany her through the process.

However, in the end, Nathalie passed away naturally, without resorting to euthanasia, which Anthony described as a relief. He admitted that while the final night with her was difficult, the last hours were peaceful, as she slipped away without the need for medical intervention.

This experience profoundly affected Anthony and played a role in his refusal to assist his father similarly. For Alain, the deaths of Nathalie and Mireille Darc, another woman he had loved, left him feeling increasingly isolated and ready to take control of his own fate.

Anthony recognized how deeply these losses impacted his father, acknowledging that both women were central figures in Alain’s life — his “Valkyries,” as Anthony called them.

Despite understanding his father’s wishes, Anthony could not bring himself to participate in such a final act, knowing the emotional toll it would take. Instead, his sister, Anouchka, would be the executor when needed.

A Peaceful Exit, Final Resting Place, and Heartfelt Farewell

As Alain’s health continued to decline, he remained steadfast in his belief that a person should have the right to choose how and when to leave this world.

The actor’s long-standing support for euthanasia was more than just a theoretical stance — it became his personal reality. According to his son, Alain decided to end his life through assisted suicide, following through on his earlier wishes for a dignified and peaceful exit.

The actor, who was physically and mentally affected by the two strokes he had suffered, said he favored a noble death. This was because he lived in Switzerland and it was legal there and he believed it was rational and realistic.

In an interview with Brazilian media, Anthony disclosed that his father intended to pursue this course as a final act of autonomy and control over his fate. Alain later passed away in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children, pets, and close family members.

His passing was as he had envisioned — serene, with the people he loved by his side. In a statement following his death, Alain’s children requested privacy during what they described as an “extremely painful time of mourning.”

The Frenchman’s wishes for his burial were just as clear and aligned with his private nature. Despite his fame and public image, Alain preferred a discreet and modest Catholic burial, rejecting the idea of a large, public funeral.

He was deeply connected to his rural estate in Douchy, where he had lived for decades. Over the years, Alain had buried more than thirty of his beloved dogs on the property, creating a personal sanctuary that held significant meaning for him.

During an interview, Alain expressed his wish to be buried among the animals that had been his loyal companions throughout his life. Although he briefly considered being interred in his family’s grave in the Arcueil cemetery, the actor remained drawn to the idea of resting near his dogs in Douchy.

For Alain, the love he felt for his pets was profound. They had provided him with companionship and comfort during his loneliest moments, and he wanted to spend eternity close to them.

Before his passing, Alain reportedly penned a farewell message to his fans, friends, and colleagues. In it, he expressed gratitude for the support he had received over the years, acknowledging both the triumphs and challenges of his life and career.

Alain hoped that his journey, with all its ups and downs, might serve as an inspiration for future generations of actors. He signed off with a simple yet heartfelt “Thank you,” leaving behind a legacy defined by elegance, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of control over his destiny.

In the end, Alain Delon’s story is one of a man who, despite all his fame and fortune, struggled with the same fears, losses, and uncertainties that come with aging and mortality.

The actor’s life, marked by profound achievements and personal struggles, came to a close in a way that deeply aligned with his values — a quiet departure surrounded by love and far from the public eye.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.