Jayalalithaa Jayaram, also known as J. Jayalalithaa, was a prominent Indian politician and film actress who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over 14 years. She was born on February 24, 1948, in Melukote, Mysore, Karnataka, India, to Jayaram and Vedavalli. Her father, Jayaram, was a lawyer and her mother, Vedavalli, was a homemaker.
Jayalalithaa's family had a strong political background. Her grandfather, Rangasamy Iyengar, was a member of the Indian National Congress and her uncle, Shylaja Iyengar, was also a politician. Jayalalithaa's mother, Vedavalli, was the niece of the freedom fighter and political leader, S. Srinivasa Iyengar.
Jayalalithaa was educated at the Bishop Cotton Girls' High School in Bangalore and later studied at the Presentation Convent Church Park in Chennai. She was a talented student and excelled in academics, sports, and the arts.
Jayalalithaa began her film career at a young age and quickly rose to fame as a leading actress in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films. She acted in over 140 films and was known for her beauty and talent.
In 1982, Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party and entered politics. She was appointed as the Propaganda Secretary of the party and later became the party's Youth Wing Secretary. In 1991, she was elected as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and served in that role for five consecutive terms until her death in 2016.
Throughout her political career, Jayalalithaa implemented several welfare schemes and initiatives that benefited the people of Tamil Nadu. She was known for her strong leadership and dedication to public service.
Jayalalithaa passed away on December 5, 2016, at the age of 68. Her death was widely mourned by the people of Tamil Nadu and the country as a whole. Despite her controversial political career, she remains an influential figure in Indian politics and is remembered for her contributions to the state of Tamil Nadu.
