Jayalalithaa's story is among the most remarkable legends of contemporary India. The unlikely heir of the hugely popular M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and six-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, the charismatic Jayalalithaa Jayaram successfully changed the face of mainstream Indian politics. The Lone Empress candidly chronicles the twists and turns of Jayalalithaa's personal and political life-including failed relationships, animosity with rivals, charges of corruption and encouragement of hero worship. Drawing on a vast resource of evidence from people who knew Jayalalithaa well, and also from letters and journals, Vaasanthi offers an objective, insightful and empathetic portrait of this fascinating and enigmatic figure.