J. Jayalalithaa was a prominent Indian politician, actress, and the first woman to serve multiple terms as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Born on February 24, 1948, in Mysore (now in Karnataka), she began her career as a successful film actress in the 1960s and 1970s, starring in over 140 films, mainly in Tamil. Mentored by M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), she transitioned into politics and quickly rose through the ranks of the AIADMK party after his death.
Jayalalithaa served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over 14 years across six terms between 1991 and 2016. Known for her strong leadership, welfare-oriented governance, and populist schemes like Amma Canteens, free laptops, and Amma Health Insurance, she earned massive support among women and the poor. Despite facing legal controversies and periods of political setbacks, she maintained a devoted following and was often referred to as “Amma” (mother) by her supporters. She passed away on December 5, 2016, leaving behind a powerful political legacy in Tamil Nadu.