At 11:30 p.m. last night, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaraman passed away at the age of 68, after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Her journey from a young actress to one of the most influential figures in Indian political history marks a story that is as powerful as it is inspiring.
In a tell-all interview on Rendezvous With Simi Garewal in 1999, Jayalalithaa opened up about her life and the experiences that shaped her success in a male-dominated field where people refused to take her seriously initially.
She talked about how helpless she was after losing her mother at a young age, and how much she grew from there.
She talked about never appearing vulnerable or phased when in front of the cameras or her supporters.
She also talked about the life-altering incident in 1989, when she was assaulted by members of the opposition party during an assembly session, and how it moulded her resolve to succeed even further.
And she sang her favourite song.
In a rare interview #jayalalithaa talking about her crush on #ShammiKapoor and singing favourite songs. #RIPAmma… https://t.co/lkv1I7i42R