Judith Tielen

Judith Zsuzsanna Cornélie Maria Tielen (born 2 April 1972) is a Dutch politician of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). Since 23 February 2026 she has served as State Secretary Education, Culture and Science. Before that she served as State Secretary for Youth, Prevention and Sport in the demissionary Schoof cabinet and as a member of the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025, and as a member of the Utrecht municipal council from 2014 to 2017.

Early life and education Tielen was born on 2 April 1972 in Arnhem, and grew up in . She studied medicine and healthcare management at Utrecht University, graduating as a medical doctor in 1996.

Career Before entering politics, Tielen worked as a strategic marketing consultant and later as a lecturer and researcher in marketing and innovation at HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. She also proposed to increase testing for coeliac disease in young children, and took part in the parliamentary inquiry into gas extraction in Groningen.

On 19 June 2025, she succeeded Vincent Karremans as State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport in the Schoof cabinet. In this role, she is responsible for youth policy, prevention and sport.

Personal life Tielen is married and has three children. She lives in Utrecht.

Electoral history

+ YearBodyPartyVotesResult.Party seatsIndividual 2017 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 38 1,928 33 2021 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 27 2,127 34 2023 House of Representatives People's Party for Freedom and Democracy 15 2,214 24