Jean-Marie Le Pen, the controversial founder of the French far-right party National Front, has died at the age of 96. He was known for his extreme nationalist views and had a significant impact on French politics since the 1970s. Despite facing numerous legal challenges for his inflammatory rhetoric, including minimizing Nazi crimes, he maintained a loyal following. Le Pen’s political career peaked in 2002 when he unexpectedly reached the second round of the presidential election. His tumultuous relationship with his daughter, Marine Le Pen, who later distanced herself from many of his views, marked his later years.