Marine Le Pen: A Profile

Early Life and Education

Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen was born on August 5, 1968, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. She is the daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, a prominent French far-right politician and founder of the National Front (Front National, FN) party.

Le Pen studied law at the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas and graduated in 1991. She then worked as a lawyer before entering politics.

Political Career

Le Pen began her political career in the FN, where she held various positions of responsibility. In 2011, she was elected president of the party, succeeding her father.

Under Le Pen's leadership, the FN underwent a significant rebranding effort, shedding its neo-Nazi image and adopting a more moderate stance. This strategy proved successful, with the party gaining ground in local and national elections.

Presidential Campaigns

Le Pen has run for president of France twice, in 2012 and 2017. In 2012, she placed third in the first round of voting, with 17.9% of the vote. In 2017, she reached the second round of voting, losing to Emmanuel Macron with 33.9% of the vote.

Le Pen is expected to run for president again in 2022. She remains a popular figure among the French far right, but her chances of winning the presidency are uncertain.