French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen has died at the age of 96, according to a family statement shared by AFP.

Le Pen, who had been in a care facility for several weeks, died “surrounded by loved ones” at noon on Tuesday, her family said.

Le Pen, a Holocaust denier and unrepentant extremist on issues of race, gender and immigration, founded France’s far-right National Front party in 1972.

In 2002, he ran against Jacques Chirac in the presidential election.

Le Pen’s daughter Marine took over as party leader in 2011. She has since renamed the party National Rally, making it one of France’s major political forces.

Jordan Bardella, who will succeed Marine Le Pen as party president in 2022, said Jean-Marie “always served France” and “defended France’s identity and sovereignty.”