On 5 December 2016, at 23:30 IST, J. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the longest-serving general secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, died of cardiac arrest in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, at the age of 68. Jayalalithaa's death was publicly announced at 00:15 on 6 December 2016. She was succeeded by her finance minister, O. Panneerselvam.
Government of India declared a one-day national mourning with the national flag in all government buildings flying at half-mast. Government of Tamil Nadu observed a seven-day state mourning period from 6 to 12 December 2016. Jayalalithaa's's lying in state took place in Rajaji Hall on 6 December 2016, during which time an estimated 1,000,000 people queued to pay their respects. It became one of the notable funerals in the world.
The state funeral service was held, and Jayalalithaa was buried next to her mentor M. G. Ramachandran's cemetery at the M.G.R. and Amma Memorial Complex later that evening.
Background On 22 September 2016, at around 10:00 p.m., the Apollo Hospitals emergency helpline received a call from Jayalalithaa's residence at Poes Garden reporting that she was unwell. Upon arrival, the medical team found that she was intermittently unresponsive, experiencing breathlessness, and had a critically low oxygen saturation level of approximately 48%. Jayalalithaa was admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai at around 22:25 IST at night, reportedly suffering from an infection and acute dehydration. She received immediate treatment in the emergency department, including non-invasive ventilation, diuretics, empirical antibiotics, bronchodilators, and intravenous insulin infusion. During her hospitalization, she was treated by a team of 18 Apollo doctors, with additional consultations from specialists including an AIIMS team led by G. C. Khilnani, UK intensivist Richard Beale, and experts from Tata Memorial Hospital, P. D. Hinduja Hospital, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and other international institution. Her official duties were handed over to her minister O. Panneerselvam on 12 October 2016, though she continued to remain as the chief minister of the state. She was also said to be suffering from a severe pulmonary infection and septicaemia, which were cured. On 19 November 2016, she was shifted from the ICU to a private room in the normal ward of Apollo Hospital after nearly two months of treatment. On 3 December, she was reported to be fully conscious and able to sit in a chair for about 20 minutes, although she was unable to stand because of neuromuscular weakness. On 4 December 2016, she was re-admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering a cardiac arrest around 16:45 on the evening. Her condition deteriorated despite advanced life support. The hospital released a press statement stating that her condition was "very critical" and that she was on life support. On the same night, Keeping in mind critical condition of Jayalalithaa, DGP of the state has ordered the force on high alert to avoid any kind of untoward incident which may arise due to her highly emotional supporters and asked all police officers, personnel to report for duty by 7:00 IST on December 5. At 3:30 IST on December 5, She showed 'Intrinsic heart rhythm'. Doctors also observed at 16:30 IST on December 5, 2016, was considered a “sign of life” that made the hospital keep her connected to the ECMO device longer.
At around 17:30 IST on the evening of December 5, Jaya TV, the official television channel associated with the AIADMK, aired a flash report stating that Jayalalithaa had died. Following the report, several South Indian news outlets, including Sun TV, Thanthi TV and Puthiya Thalaimurai, published alerts and reports announcing her death, although no official confirmation had been issued by Apollo Hospitals or the AIADMK. Amid the chaos, desperate AIADMK cadres smashed the barricades that had been erected outside the hospital. Around 17:45 IST, the AIADMK flag at the party headquarters in Royapettah was lowered to half-mast, further contributing to speculation about her condition. National media organisations, including India Today, subsequently reported the news, citing Tamil media outlets. The reports were later contradicted by Apollo Hospitals, which issued a statement approximately 30 minutes after the initial Jaya TV report, stating that Jayalalithaa's condition remained grave but that she was still alive. The hospital added that a team of doctors from Apollo Hospitals and AIIMS continued to provide life-saving treatment. The television channels that had carried the reports withdrew or corrected their death alerts. Jaya TV also removed the erroneous report, although its management subsequently denied having broadcast the death announcement. Shortly after 18:00 IST, the AIADMK flag at the party headquarters was raised again. Following the hospital's clarification, the situation outside Apollo Hospital, where Jayalalithaa was undergoing treatment, eased. However, Thanthi TV's office became the target of angry supporters, amid criticism of the channel's reporting of her purported death. Following the cardiac arrest, A neurological examination on 5 December revealed brainstem dysfunction, after which the treating team decided to discontinue veno-arterial Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and other life-support measures. The decision was communicated to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary P. Rama Mohana Rao, Acting Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai, Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan, and V. K. Sasikala to facilitate the smooth power succession. According to the treatment summary, Jayalalithaa had significant multiple underlying, pre-existing medical conditions, including obesity, hypertension, poorly controlled hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome with chronic diarrhoea, and chronic seasonal bronchitis. She also experienced persistent sleep disturbances despite optimized sedative therapy. Richard Beale assessed her overall mortality risk at approximately 40% during the course of treatment.
Death and national mourning Death and announcement
On 6 December 2016 at around 0:15 IST, the hospital officially announced that she had died at 23:30 (5 December 2016) and she became the first female chief minister to die in office in India.
Government of India declared a one-day national mourning with the national flag in all government buildings flying at half-mast. While a seven-day state mourning from 6 to 12 December 2016 was observed by Government of Tamil Nadu, also three-day state mourning from 6 to 8 December 2016 were observed by Government of Kerala and the Government of Puducherry. One day state mourning on 6 December 2016 was observed by Government of Karnataka,Government of Bihar,Government of West Bengal,Government of Punjab,Government of Uttarakhand and Government of Goa.
Lying-in-state Her body was kept in state at her residence Veda Nilayam in Poes Garden until the wee hours of 6 December 2016 and later at Rajaji Hall for public to pay their tribute.
State funeral On the evening of 6 December 2016, the glass casket carrying her mortal remains was taken in an army truck bedecked with flowers from Rajaji Hall to M.G.R. Memorial for a long grand public procession. Around one million people paid an emotional farewell to her. Late Jayalalithaa's body was draped in her favourite green coloured silk saree though with a red border and adorned with a diamond-studded gold dollar chain, diamond earrings, an iconic black-strap Franck Muller wristwatch on her left wrist, one diamond ring on each hand, and a golden bangle on her right hand, and kept inside a sandalwood coffin engraved with the words "Puratchi Thalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa" (Eternal Leader Miss J Jayalalithaa). Her long-time aide V. K. Sasikala carried out the last rites, sprinkling rose petals, milk and holy water. Just after sunset, Jayalalithaa was buried into the ground at the northern end of Marina Beach in Chennai, near the grave of her mentor and the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. G. Ramachandran at the M.G.R. and Jayalalithaa memorial complex.
Reactions India : President Pranab Mukherjee Condoled and paid last tributes on her demise, Stating:"Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Ms. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. One of India's most charismatic & popular leaders, Ms. Jayalalithaa was a visionary & able administrator". Vice President Hamid Ansari said: "Jayalalithaa's demise is an irreparable loss to the people of India".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolence and tweeted that "Jayalalithaa ji's connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration". Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "Saddened by the untimely passing away of J Jayalalithaa ji, an exceptional leader and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu." Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of Tamil Nadu CM, Selvi Jayalalithaa. She was a powerful voice for the weaker sections of the society." Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said: "It is tragic. It is painful. She was a woman of dignity and self-respect. We shared a warm personal relationship." Union Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: "Her life's journey is a story of grit & perseverance. Understood the mind of the poor & the women. Stayed connected to her people. Remember fondly the affection she showed each time we met. Condolences." Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "I join millions of admirers of Jayalalithaji in mourning her sad and untimely demise. She was a charismatic leader who will be remembered forever as the beloved Amma by the people of Tamil Nadu. She was an outstanding leader who was passionately devoted to the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu." Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram said: "Jayalalithaa was most dominant political personality of Tamilnadu in last 25 years. Share grief of millions. Jayalalithaa acquired large loyal following that equalled that of her mentor MGR. She brought a hard uncompromising style to politics and governance that won praise and criticism". Lok sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan said: "J Jayalalithaa ji was not only strong but also a good administrator. It is a big setback for politics. Not just Tamil Nadu but entire nation mourns the demise of Jayalalithaa ji. She was a very good administrator." BJP president Amit Shah said: "Saddened by the demise of Tamil Nadu CM J.Jayalalithaa ji. I extend my deepest condolences to her party and followers in this hour of grief." Congress President Sonia Gandhi said: "We pay our respects to J. Jayalalithaa ji. May her soul Rest In Peace". Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes to Jayalalithaa and said: "I would like to offer my condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa ji was a great leader. She was not only a great leader of Tamil Nadu, she was a leader of this country. I, on behalf of the Congress and party president Sonia Gandhi and every single Congress worker in this country, pay our respects to a great lady, to a great leader of Tamil Nadu".
Indian States Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao said: "Deeply shocked and sad. People's Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu". Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the DMK President M. Karunanidhi said: "I offer deep condolences on the passing away of Jayalalithaa. Wishes of lakhs of her followers will make her immortal." Leader of Opposition and DMK Treasurer M. K. Stalin said: "Deeply saddened by the demise of our CM Selvi Jayalalithaa. My deepest condolences to the party cadres & well wishers in this hour of grief. She was an iconic & courageous leader. This is an irreparable loss to the people of Tamil Nadu. RIP Iron Lady!".