Jennifer Geerlings-Simons

Jennifer Geerlings-Simons ( Simons; born 5 September 1953) is a Surinamese politician and former physician who is serving as the eleventh president of Suriname since 16 July 2025. A member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), she has been the party's president since 2024.

Geerlings-Simons began her career as a physician, working as a dermatologist, and later in the National HIV/AIDS program. In 1996, she joined politics and was elected to the National Assembly in the general elections. Shortly after the 2010 general elections, Geerlings-Simons was elected the chairperson of the National Assembly from 2010 to 2020, becoming the second female to hold this role.

In July 2024, Geerlings-Simons became the president of the National Democratic Party after the death of Dési Bouterse. The following year in May 2025, she led the party to a first-place plurality in the general election held on 25 May. Geerlings-Simons was subsequently elected President on 6 July 2025, becoming the first female president in the nation's history.

Early life and career Simons grew up in Paramaribo, as the oldest of four children. She studied medicine at the University of Suriname, graduating in 1979. After traveling to the Netherlands to specialize, she returned to practice in Suriname. Her first posting was as a country doctor for Onverwacht in Para District, a connection she later referenced in her political campaigns.

In 1983, Simons briefly worked at the Academic Hospital Paramaribo, before transferring to the Dermatology Division. She remained in this post until 2002. During this period, she also set up the National HIV/AIDS program in Suriname. She was leader of the NDP parliamentary group from 2000 until 2006.

After the 2010 general elections, Geerlings-Simons was elected the chairperson of the National Assembly, becoming the second female to hold this role. She would hold this position until 2020.

On 8 April 2020, Simons was appointed to lead the Parliamentary COVID-19 Crisis Management Team during the COVID-19 pandemic in Suriname.

On 20 June 2020, Simons announced her retirement from politics. She had been elected in the 2020 Surinamese general election, but ultimately decided not to take her seat. Stephen Tsang, who was on 6th place on the NDP list, subsequently became eligible for the National Assembly.

President of Suriname (2025–present) On 13 July 2024, she succeeded Dési Bouterse as the leader of the National Democratic Party.

On 3 July, the Progressive Reform Party, which led the governing coalition, said it would not put forward a candidate against Geerlings-Simons. No one else lodged a candidacy by the deadline, assuring Geerlings-Simons' election.

Time named President Geerlings-Simons one of the 100 most influential people in climate movement in 2025. It credits her for protecting indigenous and tribal land rights, minimizing logging and protecting the rainforests. She wants developed nations to pay more to help developing countries preserve their forests. "Sustainability cannot just be about emissions reduction," Geerlings-Simons says. "It must also mean protecting the ecosystems that regulate the climate and supporting the people who care for them."

Personal life

In 1981, Simons married Glenn Geerlings. They have three children. Her eldest son died in 2015.

Awards and honours National honours

Foreign honours

TIME100 Climate list of the 100 most influential climate leaders (2025)