Marine Le Pen
Born 1968 · Age 57
French lawyer and politician; longtime leader of the National Front/National Rally; three-time presidential candidate (2012, 2017, 2022); MEP (2004–2017); member of the French National Assembly (since 2017); convicted of embezzlement in 2025.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Neuilly‑sur‑Seine
Born Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen to Jean‑Marie and Pierrette Le Pen.
Baptised at La Madeleine, Paris
Baptised; godfather Henri Botey (relative of her father).
Bomb attack on family apartment
A bomb intended for her father exploded outside the family's apartment; family unharmed.
Mother left the family
Her mother left the family; a formative personal event noted in her autobiography.
Joined the National Front (FN)
Became a member of her father's party at age 18, beginning formal political involvement.
Completed Master of Laws (Panthéon‑Assas)
Graduated with Master of Laws from Panthéon‑Assas University (Université Paris II).
Started working as a lawyer (state duty lawyer)
Worked as a lawyer, often as public defender and in immediate appearance court.
Completed DEA in criminal law
Earned a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) in criminal law (Panthéon‑Assas).
Registered at the Paris Bar; began legal career
Registered with the Paris Bar and began practicing as a lawyer (duty lawyer, criminal cases).
Left Paris Bar; joined FN legal department
Ceased membership of the Paris Bar and joined the National Front's legal department.
Elected Regional Councillor (Nord‑Pas‑de‑Calais)
Won her first elected political mandate as regional councillor (1998–2004).
Joined and led FN juridical branch
Joined the FN's juridical branch in 1998; led it until 2003.
Became president of Generations Le Pen
Took leadership of Generations Le Pen, an association seeking to 'de‑demonize' the FN.
Joined FN Executive Committee
Became a member of the FN's bureau politique (Executive Committee).
Became vice‑president of the FN
Elevated to vice‑president of the National Front.
Elected Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
Elected an MEP representing Île‑de‑France (first MEP term beginning July 2004).
Managed Jean‑Marie Le Pen's presidential campaign
Managed her father's 2007 presidential campaign (activity dated 2006).
Contested 2007 parliamentary election (Pas‑de‑Calais 14th)
Stood for the National Assembly and finished second to Socialist incumbent Albert Facon.
Became executive vice‑president of FN
Named one of two executive vice‑presidents with responsibility for training, communications and publicity.
Elected municipal councillor, Hénin‑Beaumont
Served as municipal councillor (2008–2011) in Hénin‑Beaumont, a local political stronghold.
Launched campaign for FN leadership
Formally launched her leadership bid for the National Front at Cuers on 3 September 2010.
‘Muslim occupation’ speech in Lyon
Drew widespread criticism for comparing public Muslim prayers to 'occupation' of territory.
First major public rally speech as leader
Spoke in Tours on taking leadership and later in Nice and at other events to push 'de‑demonisation' strategy.
Named to Time's 100 most influential people (2011)
Recognised by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Elected president of the National Front
Won the FN leadership with 67.65% of the vote, succeeding her father; Jean‑Marie became honorary chairman.
Selected as FN presidential candidate for 2012
FN Executive Committee unanimously approved her as the party's candidate (announced 16 May 2011).
2012 presidential campaign launch (Nice)
Launched her 2012 presidential campaign in Nice (10–11 September 2011) and assembled a campaign team.
Collected 500 signatures to stand in 2012 presidential election
Announced she had obtained the 500 required elected‑official endorsements to qualify.
Constitutional Council approved presidential candidacy
Official approval of her 2012 presidential run (and nine other candidates).
2012 presidential first round — third place
Polled 17.90% (6,421,426 votes) in the first round, her best national presidential showing to date.
Formed Blue Marine Gathering for June 2012 parliamentary elections
Created an electoral coalition to contest the June 2012 parliamentary elections.
Contested Pas‑de‑Calais parliamentary seat (2012) — defeated
Stood in Pas‑de‑Calais' 11th constituency, won 42.36% first round but lost the runoff to Philippe Kemel (49.86%).
FN borrowed €9 million from First Czech‑Russian Bank (2014)
The FN obtained a €9 million loan from a Czech‑Russian bank amid French banks refusing credit.
European Parliament elections — FN wins most votes in France
FN won 24.90% nationally; Le Pen led her North‑West constituency with 33.60%; 25 FN MEPs elected.
Father's interviews caused party crisis
Jean‑Marie Le Pen gave controversial interviews (April 2015) prompting internal party crisis and votes to change statutes.
Became Chair of Europe of Nations & Freedom in European Parliament
Assumed a leadership role in the new far‑right parliamentary grouping (served with Marcel de Graaff).
Expelled Jean‑Marie Le Pen from the FN
Following renewed controversial remarks by her father, the FN executive voted to expel him from the party he founded.
Acquitted in Lyon for 'inciting hatred' remarks (related 2010 speech)
On 15 December 2015 a Lyon court acquitted her of 'inciting hatred' for her 2010 comments comparing Muslim prayers to 'occupation'.
Regional elections — first round lead in Nord‑Pas‑de‑Calais
Polled first in the initial round for the regional presidency with 40.6% before the right‑wing unification prevented victory.
Politico names her 2nd‑most influential MEP
Politico ranked Le Pen the second‑most influential MEP in 2016, after Martin Schulz.
FN sought €27 million loan from Russia (February 2016)
The FN requested a €27 million loan from Russian sources; it was not paid.
Announced candidacy for 2017 presidential election
Declared she would run again for president in 2017 and later named David Rachline campaign manager.
TV appearance 'Vie politique' draws 2.3M viewers
A rare media appearance on TF1 attracted around 2.3 million viewers, boosting visibility.
TV appearance 'Une ambition intime' draws 4M viewers
Appearance on M6 drew approximately 4 million viewers, increasing national profile ahead of 2017.
Launched 2017 presidential campaign in Lyon
Formal campaign launch (4–5 February 2017) promising, among other things, an EU referendum if renegotiation failed.
European Parliament revokes her immunity (2 Mar 2017)
Immunity revoked over a tweet showing violent imagery and did not apply to ongoing misuse‑of‑funds probe.
Met Vladimir Putin in Moscow during campaign
Held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24 March 2017; part of her international outreach.
Arson attempt at campaign HQ (13 Apr 2017)
Ground floor of campaign headquarters targeted in an early morning arson attempt; no major injuries reported.
2017 presidential first round — second place
Finished second with 21.3% (≈7.7 million votes), advancing to the runoff against Emmanuel Macron.
Televised debate with Macron — widely criticised
Her performance in the debate was judged poor and blamed for subsequent poll declines.
Conceded 2017 presidential election — second round result
Lost runoff to Emmanuel Macron with approximately 33.9% of the vote; conceded on 7 May 2017.
Announced candidacy for National Assembly (Pas‑de‑Calais 11th)
Declared intention to stand in legislative elections; pursued parliamentary seat to continue political role.
Resigned as Member of the European Parliament
Vacated her MEP seat after election to the French National Assembly (mid‑June 2017).
Placed under criminal investigation for misuse of EU funds
French authorities opened investigation into alleged misuse of European Parliament funds (alleged €5M).
Elected Member of the National Assembly
Won Pas‑de‑Calais's 11th constituency in the parliamentary elections and became a deputy on 18 June 2017.
National Front renamed Rassemblement National (National Rally)
Announced renaming of the party to National Rally (Rassemblement National) to modernize the brand.
EU court ruled she misallocated ~€300,000
An EU court found she had improperly allocated about €300,000 in EU funds and ordered repayment.
European Court of Justice dismissed appeal (May 2019)
Appeal dismissed; ordered to pay court costs related to EU fund misuse ruling.
Announced third presidential bid for 2022
Declared her intention in January 2020 to run for president again in 2022.
Elected to lead National Rally (reported)
Reportedly elected again to lead the party on 4 July 2021 with no opposing candidate (sources differ on timelines of party presidency changes).
Hungarian bank loan for 2022 campaign (€10.6M)
A €10.6 million loan from Hungarian MKB Bank (chaired by Lőrinc Mészáros) was reported as financing part of her 2022 campaign.
Launched 2022 presidential campaign
Officially launched her 2022 presidential run and began formal campaigning (15 January 2022).
Senator Stéphane Ravier endorses Zemmour
During the 2022 campaign, the party's only senator publicly backed rival Éric Zemmour, a notable defection.
2022 presidential first round — second place
Came second with 23.15% (qualified for the runoff vs. Emmanuel Macron).
Televised debate with Macron (Apr 22, 2022)
Debated Macron live on television during the second‑round campaign.
Lost 2022 presidential runoff
Received 41.45% of the vote in the second round and was defeated by Emmanuel Macron on 24 April 2022 (RN's best-ever presidential result).
Led RN to major gains in 2022 legislative elections
National Rally won its highest number of Assembly seats in its history and became the largest opposition party.
Elected parliamentary leader of National Rally in the National Assembly
Assumed the role of parliamentary party leader (position established; assumed office 28 June 2022).
Stood down as party chair; succeeded by Jordan Bardella
Formally stepped down from party presidency in November 2022 to concentrate on parliamentary work; Bardella became leader.
Prosecutors recommended charging Le Pen in EU funds probe
French prosecutors recommended charges for alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds (investigation spanned 2004–2016).
RN won regional/legislative milestone (mid‑2024) — party success
In mid‑2024 RN had a notable victory over the leftist Popular Front in a key contest (contextual milestone bringing her closer to power); reported as a party first‑time win.
Ordered to stand trial (late 2024) for misuse of EU funds
Le Pen and others were ordered to stand trial for alleged misuse of European Parliament funds earmarked for parliamentary assistants.
Named most popular politician in France (Jan 2024 poll)
In January 2024, polling (Verian‑Epoka for Le Figaro Magazine) showed Le Pen as the most popular politician in France for the first time.
Planned to run for 2027 despite charges
Despite ongoing legal proceedings, Le Pen announced intentions to run for president again in 2027 (reported/planned).
Convicted of embezzlement (31 Mar 2025)
Convicted with other MEPs of embezzling over €4 million of European Parliament funds to pay National Front staff; sentenced to 4 years prison, 5‑year ban from public office, fined €100,000.
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