Jean-Marie Le Pen is dead, his family announced this Tuesday, January 7. The former leader of the National Front was 96 years old.
Born in La-Trinité-sur-Mer on June 20, 1928, Jean-Marie Le Pen is the son of a fisherman and a seamstress. He lost his father in 1942 when his boat exploded on a mine.
In 1956, he was elected deputy for Paris. At the time, he spoke for the Poujadist party. After falling out with Pierre Poujade, he sits as non-registered. From 1958 to 1962, he was elected deputy, this time independent.
Founder of the National Front in 1972
It was in 1972 that he founded the far-right party, the National Front. Two years later, he ran for the presidential election for the first time. He will only garner 0.7% of the votes. During the 1981 presidential election, he was unable to run, having not obtained the necessary 500 signatures.
-An extremely controversial political figure, Marine Le Pen’s father has been condemned on several occasions by the courts, notably for having made negationist remarks about the gas chambers or for provoking discrimination.
“Jean-Marie Le Pen, surrounded by his family, was called back to God this Tuesday at noon,” to AFP.
