In the 1970s, Delon expanded his commercial interests, buying harness racing trotters and promoting boxing matches. He has also helped develop and promote a variety of products sold under his name including wristwatches, clothing, eyewear, perfume, stationery, and cigarettes.[Delon’s brand of sunglasses became particularly popular in Hong Kong after actor Chow Yun-fat wore them in the 1986 crime film A Better Tomorrow, as well as two sequels. Delon reportedly wrote a letter thanking Chow for helping to promote and sell the sunglasses in Hong Kong and China.
The film’s director John Woo has acknowledged Delon as one of his idols and wrote a short essay on Le Samourai as well as Le Cercle Rouge for the Criterion Collection DVD releases.In 2009 and 2015, Christian Dior used images of the young Alain Delon and excerpts of his 1960s films The Swimming Pool and The Last Adventure respectively in the Eau Sauvage cologne advertising campaigns.
Personal life
On 20 March 1959, Delon was engaged to actress Romy Schneider, whom he met when they co-starred in the film Christine (1958). After their first film together, the couple of Alain Delon and Romy Schneider became iconic. Schneider, already a highly acclaimed star, and Delon, a rising talent, were affectionately nicknamed “les amants magnifiques” (the magnificent lovers), “Les fiancés éternels” (eternal fiancés), and “les amants terribles” (the terrible lovers) due to their passionate and tumultuous relationship,[88] which was the subject of intense media scrutiny, with paparazzi relentlessly pursuing them.[89] Schneider’s family remained opposed to their union, adding further complexities to their romance. In 1964, Delon and Schneider broke up. Their love story continued to captivate audiences and cemented their status as one of the most beautiful couples in cinema history. In 2009, Delon admitted his regret for not marrying Schneider, and in 2018, he referred to her as the love of his life.