Jean Marie Le Pen died at the age of 96

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Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France’s far-right National Front party and controversial figure in French politics, has died at the age of 96.

Le Pen In the year He reached the second round of the 2002 French presidential election, which shocked France and led voters to vote overwhelmingly to deny his far-right rival, Jacques Chirac, power.

his daughter, Marine Le PenIn the year In 2011, he succeeded him as party leader and reached the second round of the presidential election twice. She tried to soften the party’s image, renaming it the National Rally and excluding her father from the party.

Le Pen’s family said in a statement to AFP that he died at midday on Tuesday.

RN President Jordan Bardella confirmed Le Pen’s death in a statement on X.

Paying tribute to the far-right leader, Le Pen said he had “always served France, protecting its identity and sovereignty” as a political leader and soldier in the French army in Vietnam and Algeria.

“Today I think with sadness of the families, loved ones and of course the Marines whose grief should be honored,” he said.