Jean-Marie Le Pen, the historic leader of France’s far-right, passed away this Tuesday at the age of 96, according to his family. The politician had been hospitalized for several weeks and died at midday, “surrounded by his loved ones.” 

Le Pen, founder of the National Front in 1972, was a central and controversial figure in French politics. A Holocaust denier and outspoken critic of immigration, his party evolved under his daughter Marine Le Pen, who renamed it National Rally, solidifying it as a major force in France’s political landscape. 

His career was marked by contentious milestones and electoral achievements. He reached the second round of the 2002 presidential election against Jacques Chirac, a result that sparked massive protests and unprecedented support from mainstream parties for Chirac.

Le Pen’s radical positions and provocative statements earned him both fervent supporters and staunch critics, cementing his influence among nationalist circles. 

As a Member of the European Parliament for over three decades, he harshly criticized the European Union, calling the euro “the currency of occupation” while defending France’s national sovereignty. His extreme views on race, gender, and immigration, however, kept him at the center of controversy.

Reactions to Le Pen’s death

French political figures reacted to his death with mixed messages. Jordan Bardella, the current party leader, said Le Pen “always served France and defended its identity and sovereignty.”

Jean-Marie Le Pen est mort.

Engagé sous l’uniforme de l’armée française en Indochine et en Algérie, tribun du peuple à l’Assemblée nationale et au Parlement européen, il a toujours servi la France, défendu son identité et sa souveraineté.

Je pense aujourd’hui avec tristesse à…

— Jordan Bardella (@J_Bardella) January 7, 2025

On the other hand, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the left-wing La France Insoumise, stated, “Respect for the dead does not erase the right to judge their actions. Jean-Marie Le Pen’s actions are intolerable.” 

Le Pen’s political life also included unusual episodes, such as losing partial vision in his left eye during a campaign, and winning his first parliamentary seat in 1956 with Pierre Poujade’s party.

Over more than six decades, he navigated controversies and political victories, leaving a legacy that continues to influence French politics. 

Jean-Marie Le Pen never renounced his positions and maintained an optimistic view of political and family conflicts. “I am used to adversity. For 60 years I have rowed against the current. We never had the wind in our favor,” he wrote in his memoirs. His death marks the end of a complex and controversial chapter in recent French political history.