India's "Iron Lady" dies at age 68.

One of India's most influential and multifaceted politicians, Jayalalithaa Jayaram, has passed away at the age of 68. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu suffered a heart attack and died at 11 pm (local time) on December 5th.

Ms. Jayalalithaa Jayaram. Photo: BBC

Thousands of supporters gathered to pray for her, and police presence was increased in Southern states to prevent potential unrest caused by her supporters.

Jayalalitha had been hospitalized for months and was a film star before being elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu four times.

Because she was so revered, there were fears that her death could spark unrest regarding the extreme devotion she had inspired in so many, who even called her "Amma" (mother).

From midnight the previous night, hundreds of people had lined the streets outside the hospital where she died, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman they called "Amma." When the ambulance carrying her body pulled out, supporters surged forward, pushing and shoving to get closer to the vehicle. They nearly broke through the police barricades. Many of them wept.

A senior politician from the AIADMK party, a close aide to Jayaram, O Panneerselvam, was sworn in as chief minister of Tamil Nadu just hours after her death.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to send condolences to the family of Jayalalitha.

Khushboo Sundar, a film actress and spokesperson for the Congress Party, told the BBC: "I am heartbroken. Although our political views differ, I still have great respect for her. We had unrealistic hopes; none of us wanted her to lose this battle (against the illness)... She was a symbol of the strength of women like me. She fought against injustice so that her name could be on par with male politicians. We have lost a great politician, a champion of feminism."

Jayalalitha has had a dramatic life, both on and off screen. She appeared in over 100 films before entering politics in the early 1980s. She gained control of the AIADMK Party and led it to its first victory in Tamil Nadu in 1991, followed by three more victories.

She has been accused of corruption multiple times and has served two short prison sentences, most recently in 2014. However, many still admire Jayalalitha and believe she played a crucial role in the development of Tamil Nadu – one of the most economically influential states in India.

According to Labor