The late French actor and musician, Guy Marchand, who gained international fame playing the character of private detective Nestor Burma, had an equally fascinating personal life as his professional one. His wife, Adelina Marchand, a former professional model of Russian origin, was a central figure in this intriguing story.
Born in 1977 in Siberia, Adelina Khamaganova, who later became Adelina Marchand, started her career as a model in Russia. Her adventurous spirit saw her change careers and countries, which eventually brought her to France and into the life of Guy Marchand. As fate would have it, their paths crossed at Roissy airport in 2000, where Adelina was working in security. Despite a considerable age difference of 40 years, their connection was undeniable, leading to their marriage in 2006.
However, at the time of Guy Marchand’s passing on 15th December 2023 at Cavaillon hospital, the couple had not been living together for over a decade. This information, contrary to public perception, was divulged by the actor himself in his autobiographical story, “Le guignol des Buttes-Chaumont,” published in 2020. In an interview with Gala, he explained the unique dynamics of their relationship, stating that his wife lived between Berlin, Moscow, and Irkutsk, and that they managed to see each other almost every eight days.
The actor also opened up about the unconventional nature of their relationship. He admitted that with a 40-year age gap, it was difficult to maintain a traditional living arrangement, leading him to live like a bachelor in love, constantly courting his wife.
Guy Marchand and Adelina did not have any children together. However, Adelina has a daughter, Anastasia, from a previous relationship, who is currently studying in Berlin. The couple had dreams for Anastasia to become multi-lingual, speaking Russian, English, German, and French. This aspiration led them to enrol Anastasia in a trilingual school in Berlin.
Apart from Anastasia, Guy Marchand was a father to two additional children, Jules and Ludivine, from his first marriage to actress Béatrice Chatelier. The couple met on the set of the film “Les Sous-doués en vacances,” but their relationship did not last. Guy Marchand described their relationship as complex in a 2020 interview with Gala. He quoted his first wife saying, “I never really liked you, but I liked your voice.”
Despite the complexities and unconventional elements of his personal life, Guy Marchand’s life was as varied and vibrant as his illustrious career. His life story is marked by two intriguing and significant relationships, each adding unique shades to the canvas of his life.
