Far-right French leader Jean-Marie Le Pen dies: He was the father of Marine Le Pen

Sebastien Chenu, a senior party official, made the announcement on Tuesday.

A polarising figure in French politics, Mr Le Pen was known for his fiery rhetoric against immigration and multiculturalism that earned him both staunch supporters and widespread condemnation. He made five attempts to be elected French President.

His controversial statements, including Holocaust denial, led to multiple convictions and strained his political alliances.

Mr Le Pen, who once reached the second round of the 2002 presidential election, was eventually estranged from his daughter, Marine Le Pen.

In 2011, she rebranded the party to shed its “demonised” image and expand its electoral appeal, culminating in her own presidential successes.

It is now called the National Rally.

Marine Le Pen - whose real name is Marion Anne Perrine Le Pen was born on August 5 1968, the youngest of three daughters of Jean-Marie and his first wife Pierrette. She joined the Front National in 1986, aged 18, and was elected leader in January 2011.