The French scientist who created the abortion pill has died at the age of 98.

Dr. Étienne-Émile Baulieu died at his home in Paris on Friday, his widow confirmed in a statement.

In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron called Dr Baulieu “a beacon of courage” and “a progressive mind who enabled women to win their freedom”.

Adding that: “Few French people have changed the world to such an extent.”

The scientist helped develop the oral drug RU-486, also known as mifepristone, which has provided millions of women across the world with a safe and inexpensive alternative to a surgical abortion.

Simone Harari Baulieu said: “His research was guided by his commitment to progress through science, his dedication to women’s freedom and his desire to enable everyone to live better and longer lives.”

Dr Baulieu was born Étienne Blum on 12 December 1926 in Strasbourg. He changed his name to join the French resistance against the Nazi occupation when he was 15.

Following his graduation, he travelled to the United States where he worked with the man known as the father of the contraceptive pill, Dr Gregory Pincus. Dr Pincus advised him on focusing on sex hormones.

Back in France, Dr Baulieu designed a method to block the effect of the hormone progesterone – which is essential for the egg to implant in the uterus following fertilisation.

While the abortion pill was developed within 10 years, Dr Baulieu spent decades pushing international governments to authorise the drug despite facing fierce criticism and sometimes threats from opponents of abortion.

The approval for sale of the pill in 1988 sparked backlash, both in Europe and the United States, where it remains a point of contention between pro-choice and anti-abortion campaigners.

While use of the drug has been approved in over 100 countries globally, access to mifepristone is still heavily regulated or restricted in the US and several other countries.