Jean-Marie Le Pen, Founder of France's National Front and Father of Marine Le Pen, Dies at 96

Jan 7, 2025, 12:27 PM

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France's far-right National Front party and a defining figure in French politics, has died at the age of 96. His family announced his death on January 7, 2025. Le Pen, known for his nationalist and anti-immigration views, significantly reshaped French politics over a career spanning four decades. In 2002, he shocked the nation by reaching the second round of the presidential election against incumbent President Jacques Chirac. He was the father of Marine Le Pen, who has continued his political legacy as a prominent leader of the National Rally party, formerly the National Front. Le Pen was both charismatic and controversial, earning staunch supporters and widespread condemnation for his fiery rhetoric against immigration and multiculturalism.