With his charismatic presence, striking features, incomparable charisma and, of course, his incredible blue eyes, Alain Delon has shaped the world of cinema for decades, becoming a symbol of French elegance.
On 18 August 2024, Delon's family announced that the world-famous star had passed away peacefully in his home in Douchy near Paris. Delon's dog, Loubo, was also mentioned in the press release, among those who mourned his passing. This is hardly surprising, given that the great actor said that his dogs were ‘half his life’.
A life lived for animals
In total, Alain Delon owned 35 dogs throughout his life, as well as numerous cats. He even had a chapel built on his property in Switzerland for his 55 animals; each dog has its own tombstone and a small memorial. And that's exactly where his final resting place should be, according to the fervent Catholic's last wish.
"I want to be buried among my animals," said Delon several times during his life. "I don't care about anything else, I just want to be with them. They were the only ones who loved me unconditionally, who were always there for me and never asked for anything in return."
For the actor, born on 8 November 1935 in Sceaux, France, one thing was certain: "There is no love purer than that of a dog. It's a bond that transcends life. I want to be with them because I have experienced true love with them."
Gaia, the dog that changed Alain Delon's life forever
The root of this love for animals goes back a long way, to when Delon developed a special relationship with his Dobermann dog, Gaia. One day, after a stern reprimand, Gaia looked at him with tears in her eyes - a moment that touched Delon's heart and changed his view of animals forever. "Since then, my dogs have always smiled," the actor pointed out in an interview.
This love led to some extraordinary acts: throughout his life, Delon was a fervent supporter of his friend Brigitte Bardot's animal welfare charity, never turning his back to an animal in need. He even once sent a helicopter to rescue an injured kitten.
The Mambo case: Delon's fight against animal cruelty
Mambo, a little Pinscher dog, was doused in petrol and set on fire by unscrupulous attackers in 2009, surviving with serious injuries. Delon, deeply moved by this cruel act, not only offered his support, but also provocatively expressed his desire to bring the perpetrators to justice on his own property.
Alain Delon will be buried mid-week in Douchy, where he lived for almost half a century, in the strictest privacy. The funeral will take place in the chapel he had built for his pets, where his 35 dogs rest.
