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

The actor was a star of the golden era of French cinema and was known for his role as a tough guy on screen in hits such as “The Samurai” and “Borsalino”.

“He died peacefully in his home in Douchy, surrounded by his three children and his family,” said a statement released to AFP news agency.

Delon’s health had been failing in recent years and he had practically withdrawn. Recently, the disintegration of his family made headlines in France.

Once described as the most beautiful man in the movie world, Delon starred in 1960s hits including The Leopard and Rocco and His Brothers.

No matter what role he played, from murderer to charismatic con man, he captured the hearts of his fans.

From the 1990s onwards he appeared less frequently in films, but he remained a regular feature in celebrity columns.

In total, he appeared in over 90 films during his career.

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

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

The daily newspaper Le Parisian called Delon “a legend of cinema”, while Liberation described him as “a leading figure of cinema, a symbol of a dubious masculinity, the actor with the crazy charisma”.

Delon’s last major public appearance was the awarding of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2019.

At the event, he gave an emotional speech in which he apparently said goodbye to the cinema.

“It’s a kind of posthumous tribute, but during my lifetime,” he had said. “I will go, but I will not go without thanking you.”

For decades, the French public has followed the ups and downs of Delon’s productive career and equally productive love life through Paris-Match and other magazines.

His eventful private life regularly made headlines as he toured Europe with charm and seduction at the height of his fame.

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

His relationship with women was also controversial and led to accusations of misogyny.

Most recently, the disintegration of his family had made headlines in France.

The actor had three children – two sons and a daughter – from two different women, as well as a third son whose marriage was not recognized and who has since died.

In recent years, his surviving children have revealed their mutual grief to the media in a series of insults, accusations, lawsuits and secret recordings.

These included disagreements about his medical treatment, after his stroke in 2019.

Another dispute concerned Hiromi Rollin, Delon’s former housekeeper.

Delon’s children kicked her out last year, but she subsequently filed a lawsuit against them for endangering Delon’s life by denying him medication.

In April of this year, a judge ordered a “reinforced guardianship” for Delon, meaning he no longer had full freedom to dispose of his assets.

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

A shooting range was also found in his Douchy-Montcorbon mansion.

BBC News has contacted Delon’s representatives.