Jagan, Janet (1920– )

Guyanese left-wing politician, president 1997–99. With her husband, Cheddi Jagan, she co-founded the left-wing People's Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950 and was its general secretary until 1970. When Cheddi won the presidency in 1992 she became Guyana's first lady and ambassador at large. On his death in March 1997 she became interim prime minister and then, after the December 1997 general election, president in her own right. The results of the election were disputed by the opposition and in January 1998 it was agreed that they would be independently audited. Jagan resigned in August 1999 because of ill health. She was succeeded by her finance minister, Bharrat Jagdeo.

Born in Chicago, USA, she met and married Cheddi Jagan in 1943 while she was studying in the USA. She is Guyana's first female and first white head of state.