Jean-Marie Le Pen, Founder of France’s National Front Party, Dies at 96

Jean-Marie Le Pen, Founder of France’s National Front Party, Dies at 96
Founder of France's Front National (FN) party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, poses during a photo session at his home in Saint-Cloud, France, on Jan. 14, 2021. Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images
James Lalino
Updated:
0:00

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s National Front party, died on Tuesday at the age of 96.

Le Pen had been a controversial figure in French politics since he first entered the National Assembly in the 1950s. His supporters said he had championed French identity and the nation’s sovereignty while his critics accused him of being anti-Semitic, of promoting discriminatory policies, and of inciting racial violence.

James Lalino
James Lalino
Author
James Lalino is a freelance writer, investigative journalist, and television news producer based in Washington.