On November 8, 1935, a boy named Alain was born in a suburb roughly 80 kilometers from central Paris. He would later gain fame as one of the most admired men of his generation. His early life began in a relatively stable setting; his mother worked as a pharmacist, and his father later opened a cinema hall. Eventually, his mother took a job as a cashier there.

Alain’s childhood took a turn when his parents separated when he was just three years old. Both eventually remarried, which gave Alain several half-siblings. His stepfather worked in a butcher’s shop, and his mother joined him there. As both were busy with work, they hired a nanny to care for Alain. As a result, he split his time between two homes, navigating the dynamics of two separate families.

At first, Alain found the situation somewhat enjoyable, with the novelty of moving between households. However, over time, he began to feel neglected, as though no one truly prioritized him. This emotional distance may have contributed to challenges he later faced in school and his general behavior.

Academically, Alain struggled. He was often involved in disruptive behavior and was expelled from multiple schools. These challenges led to frequent changes in his educational path, and he never settled into a consistent academic routine.

As a teenager, he attempted vocational training to become a butcher, likely influenced by his stepfather’s profession. After three months, he left that job and briefly worked in retail. Each experience added a new layer to his understanding of the working world.

Eventually, Alain joined the Army, a period he would later describe as formative and positive for his character. After his military service, he took on work as a waiter, setting the stage for what would soon become a much different career.