Childhood and Education Journey of Marine Le Pen in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Marine Le Pen. A timeline of key moments.

Marine Le Pen is a French lawyer and prominent politician associated with the far-right National Rally party. She served as the party's president for a decade and has been a member of the National Assembly since 2017. Notably, Le Pen has run for the French presidency three times, in 2012, 2017, and 2022, becoming a significant figure in French politics.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

August 1968: Marine Le Pen's Birth

In August 1968, Marion Anne Perrine "Marine" Le Pen was born. She is a French lawyer and politician.

Others born on this day/year

April 1969: Baptism at La Madeleine Church

On 25 April 1969, Marine Le Pen was baptized at La Madeleine Church in Paris.

1976: Bombing Attack on Family Apartment

In 1976, when Marine Le Pen was eight years old, a bomb meant for her father exploded outside the family's apartment. The family was unharmed.

1984: Mother Leaves the Family

In 1984, when Marine Le Pen was 16, her mother left the family.

1987: Parents' Divorce

In 1987, Marine Le Pen's parents divorced.

1991: Master of Laws Degree

In 1991, Marine Le Pen graduated with a Master of Laws degree from Panthéon-Assas University.

1992: Master of Advanced Studies in Criminal Law

In 1992, Marine Le Pen earned a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) in criminal law.

1993: First parliamentary election

In 1993, Le Pen first ran for parliament in Paris' 16th constituency, finishing third with 11.10% of the votes. Bernard Pons was re-elected as the MP in the first round.

1995: Marriage to Franck Chauffroy

In 1995, Marine Le Pen married Franck Chauffroy.

1995: FN list in municipal election

In 1995, Steeve Briois led the FN list with Marine Le Pen in second position for a municipal election. The FN list came second with 28.53% in the first round.

1998: Included in FN list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

In 1998, Marine Le Pen was included in the FN list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

2000: Divorce from Franck Chauffroy

In 2000, Marine Le Pen divorced Franck Chauffroy.

2001: Gérard Dalongeville becomes Mayor of Hénin-Beaumont

In 2001, Gérard Dalongeville became the Mayor of Hénin-Beaumont.

2002: Legislative election in Pas-de-Calais

In 2002, Le Pen stood in the election in Pas-de-Calais' 13th constituency, Lens. Le Pen polled 24.24% in the first round, qualifying for the run-off against socialist Jean-Claude Bois, in which Le Pen received 32.30%; Bois was re-elected as the MP with 67.70%.

2002: First round polling in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

In 2002, Le Pen's list polled 18.31% (224.871 votes) and finished in third position in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. In Pas-de-Calais, her list polled 19.81% (96,556 votes), ahead of the UMP (15.91%, 77,550 votes), and won by a large margin in Hénin-Beaumont (39.08%, 2,949 votes).

2002: Marriage to Eric Lorio

In 2002, Marine Le Pen married Eric Lorio.

July 2004: Became a Member of the European Parliament

On July 20, 2004, Marine Le Pen became a Member of the European Parliament in the Île-de-France constituency, initially as a Non-Inscrit.

2004: End of term as regional councillor

In 2004, Marine Le Pen's six-year term as a regional councillor (1998-2004) ended.

2004: Led FN regional list in Île-de-France

In the 2004 elections, Marine Le Pen led the FN regional list in Île-de-France and the departmental list in Hauts-de-Seine.

2006: Divorce from Eric Lorio

In 2006, Marine Le Pen divorced Eric Lorio.

January 2007: Joined Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty

On January 15, 2007, Marine Le Pen joined the Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty group in the European Parliament.

November 2007: Returned to Non-Inscrits in European Parliament

On November 14, 2007, Marine Le Pen returned to being a Non-Inscrit in the European Parliament after a period with Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty.

2007: Election in Pas-de-Calais' 14th constituency

In 2007, Le Pen and her substitute Steeve Briois stood for the FN in the Pas-de-Calais' 14th constituency, Hénin-Beaumont. Le Pen's campaign committee was led by Daniel Janssens.

2008: Municipal election in Hénin-Beaumont

In 2008, Steeve Briois was the FN top candidate with Marine Le Pen in second position in municipal election of Hénin-Beaumont.

February 2009: Stepped down as regional group leader

In February 2009, Le Pen stepped down as regional group leader to concentrate on the European election campaign in the North-West France constituency.

July 2009: Municipal by-election in Hénin-Beaumont

In July 2009, a municipal by-election was held in Hénin-Beaumont. Steeve Briois was the FN top candidate with Le Pen in second position.

July 2009: End of term as MEP in Île-de-France constituency

On July 13, 2009, Marine Le Pen's term as a Member of the European Parliament in the Île-de-France constituency came to an end.

July 2009: Became MEP in North-West France constituency

On July 14, 2009, Marine Le Pen became a Member of the European Parliament in the North-West France constituency, initially as a Non-Inscrit.

2009: Le Pen led FN list in European parliament election

In 2009, Marine Le Pen led the FN list in the North-West France constituency for the European parliament election. The party polled 10.18% of the votes and won one of the ten seats. The FN's constituency list received its highest regional result in Picardy, its highest departmental result in Aisne, and its highest municipal results in Pas-de-Calais.

2010: Led FN regional list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais

In the 2010 elections, Marine Le Pen led the FN regional list in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and the departmental list in Pas-de-Calais.

February 2011: Resigned as a municipal councillor

On 24 February 2011, Le Pen resigned as a municipal councillor because of the law on the accumulation of mandates. She expressed the view that her political activities would be more effective for the city at regional and European levels than in the municipal council.

June 2012: Election in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency

In June 2012, Le Pen stood in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency. She finished first in the first round with 42.36% of the votes, but was defeated in the second round by Philippe Kemel.

2012: Electoral fraud

In 2012, Marine Le Pen was accused of producing and distributing flyers purporting to be from electoral opponent Jean-Luc Mélenchon, calling for 'Arab' votes.

September 2014: Move to La Celle-Saint-Cloud

In September 2014, Marine Le Pen moved to La Celle-Saint-Cloud with her three children.

2014: Found guilty of electoral fraud

In 2014, the Criminal Court of Bethune found Marine Le Pen guilty of electoral fraud, for producing and distributing flyers during the 2012 election purporting to be from electoral opponent Jean-Luc Mélenchon, calling for 'Arab' votes. She was ordered to pay a €10,000 fine.

June 2015: End of term as MEP in North-West France constituency

On June 16, 2015, Marine Le Pen's term as a Member of the European Parliament in the North-West France constituency came to an end.

November 2016: Congratulated Donald Trump on Election

On 8 November 2016, Marine Le Pen posted a tweet congratulating Donald Trump on his election as U.S. President.

June 2017: Election in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency

In June 2017, Le Pen stood again in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency. She finished first in the first round with 46.02% of the votes, and won the seat in the second round with 58.60% of the votes over Anne Roquet.

2019: Shift in EU stance

In 2019, it was reported that Marine Le Pen no longer wants France to leave the European Union, nor for it to leave the euro currency. Instead, it was reported she and her party wants to change the EU bloc from the inside along with allied parties.

June 2022: Re-election in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency

In June 2022, Le Pen stood for re-election in Pas-de-Calais' 11th constituency. She finished first in the first round with 53.96% of the votes, and won the seat again in the second round with 61.03% of the votes over Marine Tondelier.

2022: Condemnation of Ukraine Invasion

Before the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Marine Le Pen supported closer cooperation with Vladimir Putin and Russia. After the invasion she strongly condemned the war in Ukraine, but stated Russia could become "an ally of France again" if it ends.

2022: Response to the Invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, in response to the invasion of Ukraine, Marine Le Pen criticised Russia's action despite her previous pro-Russia stance. She advocated welcoming Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war.

October 2023: Condemns Hamas and Supports Israel

In October 2023, Marine Le Pen condemned Hamas' actions during the Gaza war and expressed her support to Israel and its right to self-defence.

November 2023: Participates in March Against Antisemitism

In November 2023, Marine Le Pen participated in the March for the Republic and Against Antisemitism in Paris in response to the rise in antisemitism since the start of the Gaza war.