Jean-Marie Le Pen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 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
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-Marie Le Pen (born 20 June 1928 – died 7 January 2025) was a French politician, lawyer, and activist. He was known for founding the National Front political party (now called National Rally). He led the party for many years, from 1972 to 2011.

Le Pen focused on topics like immigration to France, the European Union, and law and order. His political ideas had a big impact on French politics. He was also known for making controversial statements that led to legal issues. In 2015, his daughter, Marine Le Pen, who took over the party, removed him from the party because of these statements.

Le Pen had a very long career in politics. He tried to become president of France five times. His unexpected success in reaching the second round of the 2002 French presidential election was a major event in French history. He served as a member of the French National Assembly and the European Parliament for many years.

Life and Career

Early Life and Education

Jean-Marie Le Pen was born in La Trinité-sur-Mer, France, on 20 June 1928. His father, Jean Le Pen, was a fisherman and a local politician. His mother, Anne-Marie Hervé, was a seamstress.

When he was 14, Le Pen became an orphan after his father's boat was destroyed by a mine in 1942. He was raised as a Roman Catholic. He studied at schools in Vannes and Lorient. Later, he went to the University of Paris to study law.

As a young man, Le Pen was involved in student politics. He led a law student association in Toulouse. He continued his studies in political science and law at Panthéon-Assas University.

Military Service

After finishing his law degree, Le Pen joined the French Foreign Legion. He served in French Indochina and during the Suez Crisis. He also served in Algeria as an intelligence officer during the Algerian War. He faced accusations related to his military service, which he denied.

In 1956, Le Pen was elected to the French National Assembly as a member of the UDCA party. He was one of the youngest members of the Assembly at that time.

Political Beginnings

After his military service, Le Pen continued his political career. He became the general secretary of a veterans' organization. He was re-elected to the National Assembly in 1958.

In 1962, Le Pen lost his seat in the Assembly. He then started a company that sold historical music recordings.

Founding the National Front

In 1972, Jean-Marie Le Pen founded the Front National (FN) party. He ran for president in 1974 but received a small percentage of the votes.

In the 1980s, his party grew in popularity, especially in southern and eastern France. This happened during a time of economic challenges in France. The FN won seats in the European Parliament in 1984 and in the French National Assembly in 1986.

Jean-Marie Le Pen at his home in November 2005.

Le Pen ran for president several times: in 1974, 1988, 1995, 2002, and 2007. In the 2002 French presidential election, he surprised many by reaching the second round of voting. He finished second in the first round, which was a big moment in French politics. However, he was defeated by a large margin in the second round by President Jacques Chirac.

He continued to be a member of the European Parliament until 2019. In 2011, his daughter, Marine Le Pen, was elected to take over as the leader of the National Front party. Le Pen became the party's honorary chairman.

Later Years and Party Expulsion

In 2015, Le Pen was suspended and later expelled from the National Front party. This happened after he repeated controversial statements he had made in the past. His daughter, Marine Le Pen, stated that his comments were causing problems for the party.

After being expelled, Le Pen founded a new political group called the Comités Jeanne. He also created another political association called the Blue, White and Red Rally in 2015.

Personal Life

Jean-Marie Le Pen was married twice. He had three daughters with his first wife, Pierrette Lallane. His youngest daughter, Marine Le Pen, became the leader of the National Rally party. His granddaughter, Marion Maréchal, is also a politician.

In 1977, Le Pen inherited a large fortune and a mansion in Saint-Cloud, near Paris. This inheritance came from a political supporter.

In April 2024, Le Pen was placed "under legal protection" by his family due to his health.

Illness and Death

Le Pen had several health issues in his later years. He was hospitalized for a minor stroke in 2022 and a mild heart attack in 2023. He experienced another heart attack in April 2024.

Jean-Marie Le Pen passed away on 7 January 2025, at the age of 96, due to complications from his health problems. His death was announced by his family. He was buried in a private ceremony in his hometown. A public memorial was also held in Paris.

After his death, various French politicians shared their thoughts. President Emmanuel Macron said history would judge Le Pen's legacy. Some people in France celebrated his death, which was condemned by government ministers.

Political Views

Key Policy Positions

Jean-Marie Le Pen supported bringing back the death penalty in France. He also often spoke about issues related to immigration to France and the European Union.

Controversial Statements

Le Pen was known for making many controversial statements throughout his career. These statements often led to legal action against him. For example, he was fined for comments that were seen as inciting discrimination.

He also faced legal issues for statements he made about historical events. He was convicted several times for minimizing the importance of certain historical facts.

Le Pen also faced accusations related to his military service in Algeria. He denied these accusations. He also faced accusations regarding the misuse of funds during his time as a Member of the European Parliament.

Awards

• Cross for Military Valour

Electoral History

Presidential Elections

See also

In Spanish: Jean-Marie Le Pen para niños

• Politics of France
• History of far-right movements in France