Jeannette Jara facts for kids
Jeannette Alejandra Jara Román (born 23 April 1974) is a Chilean lawyer and public administrator. She served as the Minister of Labor and Social Provision for Chile from 2022 to 2025 under President Gabriel Boric. Before that, she was the Undersecretary of Social Provision from 2016 to 2018 during President Michelle Bachelet's second term.
In June 2025, Jeannette Jara won the presidential primary for the Unity for Chile coalition. This made her their official candidate for the 2025 general election. She is a member of the Communist Party of Chile.
Quick facts for kids
Jeannette Jara
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Official portrait, 2022
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| Minister of Labor and Social Provision | |
| In office 11 March 2022 – 7 April 2025 |
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| President | Gabriel Boric |
| Preceded by | Patricio Melero |
| Succeeded by | Giorgio Boccardo |
| Undersecretary of Social Provision | |
| In office 10 November 2016 – 11 March 2018 |
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| President | Michelle Bachelet |
| Preceded by | Julia Urquieta |
| Succeeded by | María José Zaldívar |
| President of the University of Santiago de Chile Students Federation | |
| In office 1997–1998 |
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| Preceded by | Magdalena Alid |
| Succeeded by | Marcos Barraza |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 April 1974 Independencia, Chile |
| Political party | Communist Party (1989−present) |
| Spouses |
Gonzalo Garrido Rojas
(m. 1993; died 1996)Víctor Manuel Gajardo Aguilera
(m. 2013; div. 2021) |
| Domestic partner | Claudio Rodríguez |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation | Public Administrator • Lawyer • Politician |
Contents
Jeannette Jara's Early Life and Education
Jeannette Jara was born on April 23, 1974, in Independencia, a part of northern Santiago, Chile. She grew up in the El Cortijo neighborhood. Her family lived in a simple home, and she was mostly raised by her grandmother. Her father, Sergio Elías Jara Ulloa, was an industrial mechanic. Her mother, Jeanette del Carmen Román Guzmán, was a homemaker. Jeannette is the oldest of five siblings, including the journalist Sergio Jara.
She finished her high school education at Liceo Isaura Dinator de Guzmán in Santiago. When she was young, she took on various temporary jobs. These included working as a promoter, a seasonal farm worker, and selling food on the street.
Jeannette first started studying law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. She later transferred to the University of Santiago, Chile (Usach), where she earned a degree in public administration. She then completed her law degree at the Central University of Chile. She also holds a master's degree in public management and policy from Usach.
Student Activism and Political Beginnings
Jeannette Jara became interested in politics at age 14. She joined the Communist Youth of Chile (Juventudes Comunistas de Chile, JJCC). In the 1990s, she was a key student leader. She worked to bring back student representation in Chilean universities after a period of military rule. In 1997, she was elected president of the Student Federation of the University of Santiago, Chile (Feusach). She led a group supported by the Communist Party.
During her time as a student leader, Jeannette faced challenges while advocating for student rights. She was involved in public demonstrations and, at one point, experienced a difficult situation that drew public attention. This event led to strong discussions about student rights and government actions.
Later in 1997, Jara helped organize a large event. It celebrated the 30th anniversary of the passing of Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Over 60,000 people attended this event at Estadio Nacional. Famous artists like Silvio Rodríguez and Ismael Serrano performed there.
Professional and Government Career
Public Service and Union Work
After finishing university, Jeannette Jara started working at Chile's Internal Revenue Service (Servicio de Impuestos Internos, SII). This is the government agency that collects taxes. There, she became active in union work, helping to represent workers' interests. In 2003, she was elected to a regional board for tax workers. She became known for her organizing efforts across the country.
While working, she continued her legal studies. After leaving government service for a time, she practiced law. She helped people who needed legal support after public demonstrations in Santiago in 2019.
From 2018 to 2021, Jara also worked in academia. She was a lecturer and led the Public Administration program at the Academy of Christian Humanism University.
Roles in Government
During President Michelle Bachelet's second term, Jeannette Jara held several important roles. She worked as chief of staff for Undersecretary Julia Urquieta. She also served in the Ministry of Social Development. On October 10, 2016, she was appointed Undersecretary of Social Provision. She held this position until President Bachelet's term ended in March 2018.
In 2021, she ran for mayor of Conchalí, her home area, but was not elected. Later that year, the mayor of Santiago, Irací Hassler, appointed her as the municipal administrator for the city.
Minister of Labor and Social Provision (2022–2025)
On January 21, 2022, President-elect Gabriel Boric chose Jeannette Jara to be the Minister of Labor and Social Provision. This was a significant appointment. She was the first member of the Communist Party to lead this ministry since Chile returned to democracy in 1990. She officially took office on March 11, 2022. She also became part of the comité político, a group of senior cabinet members.
As Minister, she led important changes for workers and pensions. These included making the 40-hour workweek law official. She also helped pass the "Karin Law," which works to prevent workplace harassment. She also introduced a plan for a big pension reform.
Jeannette Jara also stepped in as a government spokesperson when Camila Vallejo was temporarily away. Her public approval grew a lot in 2022 and 2023. She was often seen as one of the most popular cabinet members in public surveys.
She resigned from her ministerial role on April 7, 2025. This was because the Communist Party nominated her as their presidential candidate. On April 14, the Humanist Action party also supported her candidacy.
Presidential Candidacy in 2025
On June 29, 2025, Jeannette Jara won the Unity for Chile primary election. She competed against Carolina Tohá, Gonzalo Winter, and Jaime Mulet. This victory made her the official presidential candidate for the ruling coalition in the November 2025 election. She is the second woman in the Communist Party's history to run for president, following Gladys Marín.
Jeannette Jara's Personal Life
When she was 19, Jeannette married Gonzalo Garrido Rojas. He was also a student leader and a member of the Communist Youth of Chile. Sadly, Gonzalo passed away in 1996. Jeannette has kept close connections with Gonzalo's family and remembers his passing publicly.
Later, she married Víctor Gajardo Aguilera, and they had a son in 2007. Currently, she is in a relationship with Claudio Rodríguez. He is a social worker and also a member of the Communist Party.
See also
In Spanish: Jeannette Jara para niños
