Jayalalitha

Born On: February 24, 1948
Place: Mysore
Education: Matriculation

Biography

Jayalalitha is a charismatic leader in Tamil Nadu politics. She was educated at the Bishop Cotton Girls High School in Bangalore and later at the Presentation Convent Church Park in Chennai. On completion of Matriculation in 1964, she won a scholarship from Government of India for higher studies but did not accept it as she took up a career in films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, English and Malayalam.

She was trained in classical dance (Bharata Natyam) and Carnatic Music from the age of 4 onwards. She is proficient in other dance-forms such as Mohini Attam, Kathak, Manipuri. She has given hundreds of performances in Bharatha Natyam all over India and has sung several songs herself in her films. She is proficient in English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and can understand Malayalam also.

She been the Member of Parliament to the Rajya Sabha from 1984. Retained the seat until she was elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in January 1989 from Bodinayakkanur. She became the first Woman Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

She won in both Bargur and Kangeyam constituencies during the General Elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly held in 1991. Subsequently, she resigned the Kangeyam Assembly seat. She was elected from Andipatti Assembly constituency in February 2002.

She was Chief Minister from 24-06-1991 to 12-05-1996, from 14-05-2001 to 21-09-2001 and from 02-03-2002. As a political leader, she became extremely popular in the state. Later, after the electoral victory of the A.I.A.D.M.K., she became Chief Minster of Tamil Nadu. She was arrested on corruption charges in 1996. She was charged with amassing wealth disproportionate to her income. Many scams also came into light. On February 2, 2000, she was convicted for corruption. Later, she again became the Chief Minster of Tamil Nadu.