Judith Tielen

Tielen was born on 2 April 1972 in Arnhem, and grew up in Velswijk [nl].^[1] Through her mother's lineage, she is of Hungarian and German descent.^[2] She studied medicine and healthcare management at Utrecht University, graduating as a medical doctor in 1996.^[3]

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.^[3] She also ran her own advisory bureau, combining her background in healthcare with expertise in communication and organisational strategy.

Her political career began at the local level in Utrecht, where she served as a municipal councillor from 2014 to 2017. In October 2017, she became a member of the House of Representatives, where she remained until June 2025. As a member of parliament, Tielen concentrated on healthcare policy, youth care, medicines and prevention. Together with Wieke Paulusma of the Democrats 66 (D66), she introduced a bill that would require daycare centres to refuse admission to children not participating in the National Immunisation Programme.^[4] She also proposed to increase testing for coeliac disease in young children,^[5] and took part in the parliamentary inquiry into gas extraction in Groningen.^[6]

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.

Tielen is married and has three children.^[7] She lives in Utrecht.