On November 8, 1935, a boy was born who would later be known as one of the most attractive men of his time. Alain was born in a suburb of Paris, which is about 80 kilometers from Notre Dame Cathedral. His mother was a pharmacist.
Alain’s mother quit her job as a pharmacist to work as a cashier at the movie theater that his father opened. But Alain’s parents split up when he was only three years old, and they both got married again. This meant that Alain had half-siblings and a childhood that was split up.
His mother and stepfather both worked at a butcher shop. His parents hired a nanny to take care of him because they didn’t have much time for him. Alain later said that at first he liked living with two families, but as time went on, he felt like no one really cared about him.
Alain had a hard time in school. He was always on the move and up to no good, breaking rules a lot. He was expelled from school several times because of his behavior. He wasn’t very good at school, so he quickly went to work.
Alain started training to be a butcher when he was a teenager, with help from his stepfather. But after only three months, he decided that the trade wasn’t for him. He quit his job at the butcher shop and tried to work in a store instead.
He kept looking for a reason to live until he joined the French Army. This chapter surprisingly brought order and discipline to his life. Alain later said that serving in the military had a good effect on his character.
Alain went back to civilian life after finishing his duty. His next job, as a waiter, was not at all glamorous. But this time was the start of his journey into adulthood.
What seemed like a normal path for a troubled boy was quietly making the man who would one day get the world’s attention.