On November 8, 1935, a boy named Alain was born in a suburb about 80 kilometers from central Paris. He would later become one of the most admired men of his generation. His early life was relatively stable; his mother worked as a pharmacist, and his father later opened a cinema hall, where his mother eventually took a job as a cashier.
Alain’s childhood changed when his parents separated when he was just three. Both remarried, giving Alain several half-siblings. His stepfather worked in a butcher’s shop, and his mother joined him there. Because both parents were busy with work, they hired a nanny to care for Alain. He split his time between two homes, learning to navigate the dynamics of two separate families. At first, he found this arrangement somewhat enjoyable, but over time he began to feel neglected, sensing that no one truly prioritized him. This emotional distance likely contributed to challenges in school and his behavior.
Academically, Alain struggled and was expelled from multiple schools, never finding a consistent routine. As a teenager, he tried vocational training as a butcher, influenced by his stepfather, but left after three months and briefly worked in retail. Each experience shaped his understanding of the working world.
Eventually, Alain joined the Army, a period he later described as formative and character-building. After his military service, he worked as a waiter, setting the stage for a career that would take him far beyond his early beginnings.
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