In the early 1970s, Romy Schneider—one of Europe’s most beloved actresses—was often seen in quiet, tender moments with her cherished son, David Christopher Haubenstock. Born in Berlin on December 3, 1966, David was the heart of Romy’s world, the son she lovingly called her “greatest love.” Though Romy’s name shone brightly on the silver screen, it was her role as a mother that truly defined her.
By then, Romy had gracefully stepped beyond the youthful charm of her Sissi days, carving out a powerful place in international cinema. Films like La Piscine (1969), where she starred alongside Alain Delon—her former fiancé—showcased her depth and maturity as an actress. Yet behind the glamour, Romy faced the delicate balancing act of nurturing David while managing the pressures of fame and a demanding career.
Her marriage to German director Harry Meyen, David’s father, began to unravel during this period, ending in divorce by 1975. In the midst of personal upheaval, Romy found new love with journalist Daniel Biasini, who would become her second husband and the father of her daughter, Sarah, born in 1977. Despite the storms in her private life, Romy’s star continued to rise. She earned critical acclaim for films like Le Train (1973) and L’Important c’est d’aimer (1975), the latter winning her the very first César Award for Best Actress.
Through every success and setback, David was Romy’s steady anchor. He often accompanied her on film sets and family trips, moments captured in intimate photographs that reveal a bond both tender and unbreakable. Romy’s on-screen melancholy mirrored a deep emotional richness, but it was motherhood that brought her the truest joy.
Tragedy struck on July 5, 1981, when 14-year-old David suffered a fatal accident trying to climb over the spiked fence of his grandparents’ home in Paris. The loss shattered Romy, plunging her into a grief that no spotlight could ease. Less than a year later, on May 29, 1982, Romy was found dead in her Paris apartment at just 43 years old. Officially, her death was attributed to heart failure, but many who loved her believe she died of a broken heart.
The story of Romy and David is one of profound love and heartbreaking loss—a timeless tale that continues to touch the hearts of those who remember her not only as a cinematic legend but as a devoted mother whose love transcended the screen and endured beyond her years.
