paroolSep 14, 2026, 14:36

Former MP and councilor Tara Singh Varma (78) has died

Tara Singh Varma, a former Amsterdam city councilor and the first woman with a migrant background to serve in the Dutch parliament, has died at age 78. She was a prominent advocate for minority women before her political career ended amid a controversy regarding fabricated health issues.

Tara Singh Varma, the first woman with a migrant background to serve in the Dutch House of Representatives, has passed away at the age of 78. Her extensive political career included serving as a city councilor in Amsterdam from 1982 to 1994, representing parties including the CPN and GroenLinks. During her time in parliament, she notably participated in the committee investigating the 1992 Bijlmer air disaster and advocated for the rights of minority women.

Her career ended in controversy in 2001 when it was revealed that she had lied about having a terminal illness to justify her departure from office. Though she initially misled colleagues by appearing in a wheelchair, she later attributed her actions to mental health struggles. Following her exit from politics, Singh Varma worked in media, including roles at Volkskrant Suriname and local Amsterdam radio stations, and later held various jobs within the city.

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Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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