Alain Delon, aged 88, has been placed under legal protection by a guardianship judge, raising concerns about his health and the ongoing disputes among his children regarding his medical care and living arrangements.

The legal protection order, implemented this week, does not significantly impact Alain Delon's daily life but restricts him from selling major assets. Additionally, it mandates a third-party representative to assist the actor in making decisions related to medical treatment and choosing suitable healthcare professionals.

Alain Delon's Health Crisis Sparks Family FeudA Hidden Life (Une Vie Cachée)

(Photo : John Phillips/Getty Images)
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Alain Delon attends the screening of "A Hidden Life (Une Vie Cachée)" during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2019 in Cannes, France.

Alain Delon's health struggles have been a focal point of public attention since his stroke in 2019. The recent legal intervention comes amidst a public dispute between Delon's children, particularly between his eldest son Anthony, born to French model Francine Canovas, and his daughter and son Anouchka and Alain-Fabien, born to Dutch model and TV presenter Rosalie van Breemen.

The family feud gained media attention in early January following an interview with Anthony Delon in Paris Match. Anthony expressed concerns about his father's health, suggesting that there were significant risks that 2023 might be Delon's last Christmas.

Alain Delon's health issues became even more contentious as it was revealed that cognitive tests conducted between 2019 and 2022 showed cognitive degradation. Anthony criticized his sister Anouchka for not keeping him and his brother informed about these tests, conducted in a Swiss clinic.

Alarming statements from Delon's lawyer, Christophe Ayela, followed Anthony's comments, revealing that Anthony had withdrawn conventional medical treatment and opted for unconventional approaches like fruit juice and vegetables prescribed by a naturopath.

Both Anthony and Ayela separately approached the public prosecutor in Montargis, seeking legal protection for Alain Delon for different reasons. The legal protection order, as issued by the guardianship judge, aims to address the disagreement among Delon's children, appointing a "neutral and impartial" judicial agent to assist the actor, as per Deadline.

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Delon's Children Back Judicial Protection Intervention

In response to the legal intervention, Delon's children expressed approval of the decision. Anthony Delon, in a statement to the Europe 1 radio network, stated that if the legal protection helps clarify matters and prevents unfounded discussions about his father's illness, it could put an end to the ongoing medical controversy.

A court document obtained by AFP indicated that Alain Delon is now "under judicial protection," with a legal representative appointed to assist him in medical matters. The order, dated January 25, highlights the existing dissension among Delon's children regarding his medical care and the practitioners responsible for his follow-up.

The legal protection granted to Alain Delon is a short-term measure, allowing an adult to be represented for specific everyday acts. This protection, renewable once for a year, is often implemented while awaiting the opening of guardianship or curatorship. Guardianship is a more restrictive measure, involving the appointment of a guardian by the judge to represent the person in all patrimonial acts of civil life.

From the start of January, the ongoing fight between Alain Delon's children began engaging in the media and in the courts. Anthony and Alain-Fabien suspect that their sister Anouchka is exerting influence over their father and trying to convince him to move to Switzerland. Frank Berton, the lawyer representing Anouchka Delon, expressed his contentment with the legal intervention, including the relevance of justice appointing a representative to address the ongoing challenges within the family, according to Daily News.

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