Geert Wilders, born on September 6, 1963, in Venlo, Limburg, Netherlands, is a prominent Dutch far-right, right-wing nationalist, and anti-Islam politician. He is the founder and leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) since 2006. Raised in a middle-class Catholic family in the southeastern Netherlands, Wilders has partial Indonesian ancestry through his mother. He entered politics in the late 1990s, joining the liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and serving as a member of the Dutch House of Representatives from 1998. Disagreements over the VVD's support for Turkey's potential inclusion in the European Union led him to leave the party in 2004, after which he established the PVV as a one-man party focused on right-wing populism, anti-immigration policies—particularly against immigration from Muslim-majority countries—a staunch anti-Islam stance and rhetoric, advocacy for banning the Quran, Euroscepticism, and international counter-jihad advocacy, making him a prominent anti-Islam figure in Europe. Wilders is known for his distinctive hairstyle and has been under constant armed police protection since 2004 due to numerous death threats stemming from his controversial views.

He gained international notoriety with his 2008 short film 'Fitna,' which criticized Islam and linked it to violence, sparking widespread condemnation, diplomatic incidents, and bans from entering countries like the UK and travel restrictions in other nations. He has been accused of hate speech multiple times, including a high-profile 2010 trial for inciting hatred against Moroccans, from which he was acquitted in 2016. His rhetoric has drawn comparisons to figures like Donald Trump, and he has collaborated with American anti-Islam activists such as Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer. In the United States, he has been hosted and promoted by Rosenwald via Gatestone Institute. His political career has been marked by alliances with international right-wing groups, including endorsements from organizations like ACT for America, and meetings with leaders such as Donald Trump to discuss immigration. In recent years, the PVV has seen electoral success, becoming the largest party in the 2023 Dutch general election, positioning Wilders as a key influencer in European far-right and nationalist movements, despite ongoing controversies over his Islamophobic statements and policies advocating for a 'Nexit' from the EU.

Wilders' personal life remains private due to security concerns; he is married to Krisztina Rózsa-Flores, a Hungarian-born diplomat, and has no children. Critics condemn him for promoting division and xenophobia, while supporters view him as a defender of Dutch culture and sovereignty. He has influenced Dutch politics significantly, with the PVV gaining substantial support in elections.