Name: Jean-Marie Le Pen, Founder of France's National Front Party, Dies at 96
Uploaded: 2025-01-09T05:42:50.000Z
Description: Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France's National Front party, died on Tuesday at the age of 96.

Don Ma is an anchor and senior business correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Don is the anchor and producer of NTD's "Business Matters," which airs weekdays at 4:30 pm ET.

Don Ma

NTD Plus

News

Breaking news and in-depth analysis from the United States and beyond. We bring you the latest updates, exclusive insights, and sharp discussions on the most pressing issues. NTD Newsroom airs Monday–Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Newsroom

We Need to Strengthen Our Patent System to Prevent Chinese IP Theft: Inventor

‘The Chinese Communist Party Is an Existential Enemy of the United States’: China Analyst

Economist Expects US Dollar ‘to Strengthen’ After US–China Talks

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

Global Celebrations for World Falun Dafa Day Represent ‘Being True, Good and Enduring’: Jan Jekielek

Man Who Visited Every Country Shares Tips on How to Travel With Purpose

China Is ‘Helping Iranian Regime Kill Americans’: Former CIA Operations Officer

Economic Pressure In Hormuz Strait A 'Checkmate Move' From US: Foreign Relations Analyst

Sherry Ning is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers local news.

Sherry Ning

21-Year-Old Falun Dafa Practitioner Shares Story of Parents' Persecution in China

‘It’s an Important Week’ to Honor ‘Courage and Sacrifice’ of Law Enforcement: Former Officer

‘Opening the Strait of Hormuz by Military Means Is Not Far Off’: National Security Expert

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 15)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 14)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 12)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 11)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 7)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 6)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 5)

NTD Newsroom Full Broadcast (May 4)

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

US News

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of France's National Front party, died on Tuesday at the age of 96.

Le Pen had been a controversial figure in French politics since he first entered the National Assembly in the 1950s. His supporters said he had championed French identity and the nation's sovereignty while his critics accused him of being anti-Semitic, of promoting discriminatory policies, and of inciting racial violence.

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement that said Le Pen "played a role in the public life of our country for almost 70 years, which is now a matter for history to judge."

Le Pen led the National Front for nearly 40 years, with his biggest success coming in the 2002 presidential election when he reached the second round of voting, eventually losing to Jacques Chirac by a resounding 64 percentage points.

He was recently excused from prosecution on health grounds in a September 2024 trial related to his party's alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds.

Le Pen was a former paratrooper and member of the French Foreign Legion, fighting in Indochina and Algeria. He lost an eye in his youth and wore an eyepatch at certain times in his life.

At the age of 27, Le Pen became the youngest member of the National Assembly. He had studied law and political science, obtaining degrees in both, before moving to Paris when he entered office.

Le Pen came under fire in 1987 for referring to Nazi gas chambers as a "detail in World War II history" in a radio interview. He was convicted in French courts a number of times for similar comments he made over the years.

Marine Le Pen, his daughter and political heir, assumed leadership of the National Front party in 2012. She advanced to the second round of both the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, losing to Macron both times. She has been serving in the National Assembly since 2017, and was previously a member of the European Parliament.

The National Front changed its name to National Rally in <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/world/frances-national-front-renamed-national-rally-idUSKCN1IX5LQ/">2018</a>.

"It closes a chapter of our movement, but it opens a new and better one that will not be less glorious," Marine Le Pen said at the time.

Jordan Bardella, who now runs the National Rally, <a href="https://x.com/J_Bardella/status/1876602748688576586">wrote</a> in French on social media platform X that Jean-Marie Le Pen "always served France, defended its identity and its sovereignty."

Marine Le Pen was reportedly inspecting damage from Cyclone Chido in the French territory of Mayotte when she received the news of her father's death.

Latest

Videos

04_Top Stories

french politics

marine le pen

Latest Clips

International

Europe

France

David Vives is an NTD News international correspondent based in Paris, France. He covers European news, geopolitics, and European arts and culture.


David Vives

National Rally party

James Lalino is a freelance writer, investigative journalist, and television news producer based in Washington.


James Lalino

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.