Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founding figure of France’s far-right National Front, has died at the age of 96.

Le Pen was a pivotal and contentious figure in French politics, known for his charismatic yet polarizing leadership style.

He led the National Front from 1972 until 2011 and garnered national attention when he unexpectedly advanced to the second round of the French presidential election in 2002.

Throughout his career, Le Pen frequently courted controversy with incendiary comments, including remarks that minimized the Holocaust, leading to several convictions.

A former paratrooper, his political strategies and outspoken views have left a lasting imprint on France’s political landscape, influencing the public discourse on immigration and national identity.

His legacy is viewed by many as emblematic of the rise of far-right politics in modern Europe.