Alex Dellal’s name once dominated gossip columns, appearing alongside one of Europe’s most eligible brides. Today, the heir to a multi-million fortune prefers a private and lavish life in Los Angeles, far from prying eyes. Happily married to model Elisa Sednaoui, he raises two sons and carefully avoids the spotlight that once beckoned, had he married Princess of Monaco, Carlota Casiraghi.
The romantic history of Carlota Casiraghi, often dubbed ‘the philosopher princess,’ is a vibrant one. Many recall her passionate affairs, such as with Moroccan actor Gad Elmaleh, fifteen years her senior and father of her first son, Raphaël. Three years later, she had a second son, Balthazar, in her marriage to producer Dimitri Rassam, which ended in divorce in 2024. Yet before these relationships, there was another equally significant man in her life.
The perfect couple and unfulfilled hopes
Looking back to the start of the last decade, Carlota can be seen madly in love with the young and charismatic Brazilian heir Alex Dellal. The niece of Prince Albert and owner of a London art gallery—previously linked to Lizzy Jagger—seemed like the perfect couple. It was her first great love, and, according to rumors, Carlota’s mother, Princess Caroline, adored her potential son-in-law. In Monte Carlo, talk of an upcoming wedding was in full swing.
Alex accompanied Carlota to her uncle’s wedding with Charlene, and the press unanimously dubbed them ‘the perfect couple.’ Their fairy tale began while they were still students at a Parisian lycée. However, in 2012, the idyll came to an end. There was no official statement about their breakup, but it soon became clear that Carlota Casiraghi had started a new relationship with Gad Elmaleh, which ultimately led to their split.
The Dellal dynasty: more than just blue blood
Although Carlota Casiraghi boasts royal lineage, Alex Dellal’s family connections are no less impressive. He is the son of Guy Dellal, a London art-loving tycoon, and former Brazilian model Andrea. His sisters are notable figures in the jet-set world: Charlotte is a renowned shoe designer popular among celebrities, while Alice is a sought-after model and drummer in a rock band. Even his cousins are famous, like Jemima Kirke, one of the stars of the series ‘Girls.’
Thanks to his family’s wealth, Alex received a privileged education and spent his childhood between London and Rio de Janeiro, attending thirteen different schools in his youth. Eventually, he settled in the British capital, where he built a career in the art world as the owner of the 20 Projects gallery. His godfather is the famous photographer Mario Testino, and among his friends are Elizabeth Jagger, daughter of Mick Jagger, and Leah Wood, daughter of Ron Wood from The Rolling Stones.
A new life in California
Alex’s life changed dramatically after meeting Elisa Sednaoui. Since 2014, he has been married to the Italian model of Franco-Egyptian descent, who has been among the highest-paid supermodels in the world over the past decade. The couple has two sons.
In 2017, the family, along with their dog Nina, moved to Los Angeles. As Elisa explained in one interview, they were drawn by “the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of this city.” They settled in a mansion in the western part of the city, with a design entirely created by Alex himself. According to Elisa, there is something unique and free about the Californian approach to life. Here, they lead a very private lifestyle: Alex has no social media accounts and goes to great lengths to avoid public events and interaction with the press.
Elisa, a former Chanel muse and friend of Karl Lagerfeld, has recently put her modeling career on the back burner to focus on philanthropy and writing. She runs the Sednaoui Foundation, which supports educational programs for children in Egypt, has acted in several films, and has tried her hand at directing. Her first book, “No One Can Make You Feel Bad Without Your Permission,” became a bestseller in Italy.
Incidentally, although Carlota Casiraghi does not hold the official title of princess, she remains one of the most prominent members of European aristocracy. She is the daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and her second husband, Italian businessman Stefano Casiraghi, who tragically died in a powerboat racing accident. Her grandmother was the legendary Hollywood actress Grace Kelly. Carlota is eleventh in line to the throne of Monaco. She received an excellent education, graduating from the Sorbonne with a degree in philosophy—an accomplishment that, paired with her sophisticated style, earned her the nickname “the philosopher princess.” In addition to her passion for philosophy, she is a professional equestrian and serves as an ambassador for the fashion house Chanel. Her personal life, marked by high-profile romances and unexpected twists, consistently draws public attention worldwide, making her one of the most talked-about figures of her generation.
