French film star Alain Delon dies at 88

French cinema legend Alain Delon has died at the age of 88.

The actor was a star of the golden age of French cinema, known for his tough-guy on-screen persona in hits such as The Samurai and Borsalino.

Delon has been in poor health in recent years and has become a virtual hermit. More recently, the breakdown of his family has made headlines in the French press.

Brigitte Bardot led a memorial in France, saying Delon’s death had left “a huge void that nothing and no one can fill”.

Once described as the most handsome man in cinema, Delon starred in 1960s hits such as The Leopard and Rocco and his Brothers.

He has stolen the hearts of fans no matter what role he plays, from a killer to a charismatic con man.

Since the 1990s, he has appeared less in films, but he remains a regular figure in celebrity news.

In total, he made nearly 90 films throughout his career.

French President Emmanuel Macron was among those paying tribute to Delon on Sunday, saying the actor “played legendary roles and made the world dream”.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, he added: “Melancholic, famous, mysterious, he was more than a star: he was a monument to France.”

A statement from his family said: “Alain Fabien, Anouchka, Anthony, as well as (dog) Loubo, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of their father.

“He passed away peacefully at his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and family.”

The newspaper Le Parisian called Delon “a legend of cinema”, while Liberation described him as “a leading figure of cinema, a symbol of faded masculinity, an actor of insane charisma”.

In a statement to AFP, Brigitte Bardot said Delon “represents the very best of French ‘prestigious cinema'”.

“An ambassador of elegance, talent, beauty. I lost a friend, an alter ego, a life partner.”

Delon’s last major public appearance was when he received the honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.

At the event, he gave an emotional speech as if saying goodbye to cinema.

“This is a little posthumous tribute, but from my life,” he said. “I’m leaving, but I’m not leaving without thanking you.”

Former Cannes film festival president Gilles Jacob described Delon as “a lion… an actor with a steely gaze”, while Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice film festival, said he was an “icon” who had “risen to the Olympus of the immortals”.

Meanwhile, one of his fans in Paris reacting to the news of his death told Reuters: “I thought he could never die.”

For decades, the French public has followed every aspect of Delon’s illustrious career and rich love life through Paris-Match magazine and other publications.

His colourful personal life regularly made headlines as he charmed and enchanted people across Europe at the height of his fame.

But he has also faced criticism. Some have disapproved of his support for Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front, who supports the death penalty and opposes same-sex marriage.

His relationships with women have also been controversial and led to accusations of misogyny.

Recently, the breakdown of his family has made headlines in the French press.

The actor has three children – two sons and a daughter – with two different women, and a third son who is undeclared and now deceased.

In recent years, his surviving children have aired their collective grievances to the media through a series of insults, accusations, lawsuits and secret recordings.

It included disagreements over his medical treatment, after his stroke in 2019.

Another controversy involved Hiromi Rollin, Delon’s former housekeeper.

Delon’s children kicked her out of the house last year, but she later filed a lawsuit against them for endangering Delon’s life by refusing to give him medication.

In April this year, a judge placed Delon under “enhanced conservatorship,” meaning he no longer has full control over his assets.

Delon also made headlines in February this year when French police seized 72 guns and 3,000 rounds of ammunition from his home. Prosecutors said he did not have a gun license.

A shooting range was also found at his Douchy-Montcorbon residence.

BBC News has contacted Delon’s representatives.