J. Jayalalitha - The Iron Lady of Tamil Nadu

Birth Name: J. Jayalalitha

Informal names :
Ammu, Puratchi Thalaivi

Profession:
Actor turned Politician

Birth on Feb-24-1948 at Mysore

Father � Jeyaram, Mother - Sandya

Education:
Matriculation

Bishop cotton Girls High School, Bangalore.
Church Park Convent, Chennai.

Awards and Achievements
1972- Kalaimamani award from the government of Tamilnadu.
1991- Was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Literature(D.Litt) by the University of Madras.
1992- Dr MGR Medical University conferred the degree of Doctor of Science.
1993-Madurai Kamaraj University conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters.
2003-Tamil Nadu Agricultural University conferred the degree of Doctor of Science.
2003-Bharathidasan University conferred the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa)

Fine arts:
As a dancer well versed in Bharata Natyam, Mohini Attam, Kathak,Manipuri.

Influential persons in her life
Mother Celine(school head mistress)
Her mother for her career in films.
Dr. M.G.R for her career in politics.

Hobbies
Has a large private library with a huge collection of books. Likes to watch old tamil, hindi and english movies. Once mentioned that she was impressed by the book "Wild Swans".

Debut movie:
Kannada film:'Chinnada Gombe'
Telugu film: 'Manushulu Mamathalu'
Tamil film : 'vennira aadai '
With MGR: "Aayirarhthil Oruvan"
With Shivaji: 'Galaata Kalyaanam'

Political Entry :
First as the Secretary of the AIADMK, then was nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

Chief Minister
First Tenure: 24-06-1991 to 12-05-1996,
Second Tenure: 14-05-2001 to 21-09-2001
Third Tenure: 02-03-2002 to -12-05-2006
Fourth Tenure: May 2011

Portfolio's handled by her as C.M. Public, General Administration, Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, other All India Services, District Revenue Officers, Home, Police and Minorities Welfare.

Schemes for the welfare of women
Cradle baby scheme.
All women police station.
Personal Highs
In 1982 when she gave her maiden speech about 'pennin perumai' which was applauded by Dr. M.G.R and In 1984 her Rajya sabha maiden speech which impressed Mrs.Indira Gandhi

Other Facts and controversies
After 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.

Played 'herself' as a politician/chief minister in the movie 'Neenga Nalla Erukkanum'

The first Woman Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
She was elected from Andipatti Assembly constituency in February 2002 to become the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.

About her life
"One-third of my life was dominated by my mother, the other part - a major one - was dominated by MGR. Two-third of my life is thus over. One third remains and this part of my life remains for myself but there are some responsibilities and duties to be fulfilled".