Leïla Da Rocha, the former companion of Patrick Dupond confided in Figaro, Saturday February 18, 2023. She made revelations about the depression of the star dancer in the 2000s.
On March 5, 2021, Patrick Dupond died of lung cancer at the age of 61. Terrible news in the world of dance, which the sportsman had marked by his performances of star dancer of the Paris Opera. However, in the early 2000s, the man had stopped his career and plunged into a long period of depression and alcoholism. He then managed to get out of it, thanks to the support of his partner, Leïla Da Rocha.
Almost two years after the sudden disappearance of her companion, the former basketball player confided in the Figaro. She thus returned to their first date in Paris, in September 2003, where she had discovered “a damaged man, in grief, sadness and loneliness“. Indeed, at that time, the former dancer had “lost everything“, starting with his friends, his fans, but also his master Max Bozzoni, died a few months earlier. “His apartment in Parc Monceau had been seized, his house in Normandy had burned down” she recalled.
Patrick Dupond was “devastated by drugs and alcohol”.
Far from the star he was before, Patrick Dupond had lived through a very complicated period, marked by a terrible car accident in 2000. He had almost never been able to walk again and had to begin a long period of physical rehabilitation. At the time of her first meeting with Leïla Da Rocha, the young woman had been surprised by His look. “He weighed 51 kilos instead of 70, his ideal weight. He was devastated by drugs and alcohol” she confided.
However, entering his life, the former sportswoman had managed to pull him “from hell” and to allow him to find a healthier lifestyle, notably by being present during his numerous detoxifications. Eventually, the couple had created their show titled Fusionwhich had enabled Patrick Dupond to return to success. After that, the dancer had appeared on shows like wonders or Dance with the stars. A beautiful end of career for the French dancer.