Jean-Marie Le Pen

Jean-Marie Le Pen
Official portrait, 1999
Honorary Chairman of the Alliance for Peace and Freedom
In office 7 April 2018 – 7 January 2025
Leader	Roberto Fiore
Leader of the Jeanne Committees
In office 22 March 2016 – 7 January 2025
Preceded by	Party established
Honorary President of the National Front
In office 16 January 2011 – 20 August 2015
President	Marine Le Pen
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Office abolished
President of the National Front
In office 5 October 1972 – 15 January 2011
Preceded by	Party established
Succeeded by	Marine Le Pen
Member of the European Parliament
In office 1 July 2004 – 1 July 2019
Constituency	South-East France
In office 24 July 1984 – 10 April 2003
Constituency	France
Member of the National Assembly
In office 2 April 1986 – 14 May 1988
Constituency	Seine
In office 9 December 1958 – 9 October 1962
Preceded by	Constituency established
Succeeded by	René Capitant
Constituency	Seine's 1st
In office 19 January 1956 – 5 December 1958
Constituency	Seine's 3rd
Regional Councillor
In office 26 March 2010 – 13 December 2015
Constituency	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
In office 27 March 1992 – 24 February 2000
Constituency	Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
In office 21 March 1986 – 22 March 1992
Constituency	Île-de-France
Municipal Councillor of Paris
In office 13 March 1983 – 19 March 1989
Constituency	20th arrondissement
Personal details
Born	Jean Louis Marie Le Pen (1928-06-20)20 June 1928 La Trinité-sur-Mer, Morbihan, France
Died	7 January 2025(2025-01-07) (aged 96) Garches, Hauts-de-Seine, France
Political party	FN (1972–2015) CJ (from 2016)
Other political affiliations	UDCA (1956–1957) FNC [fr] (1957–1961) CTV (1964–1966) APF (from 2018)
Spouses	Pierrette Lallane ​ ​ (m. 1960; div. 1987)​ Jeanne-Marie Paschos ​ ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	3, including Marie-Caroline and Marine
Relatives	Marion Maréchal (granddaughter)
Alma mater	Panthéon-Assas University
Profession	Lawyer politician activist
Signature
Website	jeanmarielepen.com
Military service
Allegiance	French Fourth Republic
Branch	French Army
Years	1953–1955 1956–1957
Rank	First lieutenant
Unit	Foreign Legion 1st Foreign Parachute Regiment
Conflicts	First Indochina War Suez Crisis Algerian War
Awards	Cross for Military Valour

Jean Louis Marie Le Pen (20 June 1928 – 7 January 2025), commonly known as Jean-Marie Le Pen (French: [ʒɑ̃maʁi lə pɛn]), was a French politician, lawyer and activist. He founded the far-right National Front (now National Rally) party and served as the party's president from 1972 to 2011 and as its honorary president from 2011 to 2015.

He focused on issues related to immigration to France, the European Union, traditional culture and values, law and order, and France's high rate of unemployment. His progression in the 1980s is known as the "lepénisation of minds" due to its noticeable effect on mainstream political opinion. His controversial speeches and his integration into public life made him a figure who polarized opinion. He was convicted of statements downplaying the Holocaust, and fined for incitement to discrimination regarding remarks made about Muslims in France. He was expelled from the party by his daughter Marine in 2015 after making controversial statements.

Le Pen's longevity in politics and his five attempts to become president of France made him a major figure in French political life. His unexpected progress to the second round in the 2002 presidential election—when he was beaten in a landslide by incumbent Jacques Chirac—left its mark on French public life, and the "21st of April" is now a frequently used expression in France. He served three terms in the National Assembly and was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1984 to 2019.