Born and raised in Iriga City. Eldest daughter of former COMELEC Commissioner Vicente Bagaporo de Lima and Norma Estrada Magistrado.

Took up primary and secondary education at La Consolacion Academy (now La Consolacion College) and graduated as Class Valedictorian. Took up her pre-law at Dela Salle University, earning an A.B. History-Political Science degree. Took up law at San Beda College (now San Beda University), where she graduated as Class Salutatorian. She placed 8th in the 1985 Bar Exam.

A Law Professor. Used to teach several subjects at the San Beda College of Law. Taught Human Rights Law last semester at the esteemed De La Salle University (DLSU) Tañada-Diokno School of Law.

Before entering public service, De Lima was an election law practitioner. Became the Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights in 2008. As Chairperson, she led the investigation on the Davao Death Squad, the Maguindanao Massacre, the abduction of political activists, government offensives on leftist organizations, and other high-profile cases of human rights violations. During this time, the CHR also championed the political rights of the LGBTQ and PWD sectors.

Appointed in 2010 by former Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III as Secretary of the Department of Justice. As Secretary of Justice, she led the investigation on the PDAF/Napoles Scam that led to the filing of charges and arrests of three senators and several congressmen. She also improved the anti-human trafficking efforts of the government and streamlined the criminal investigation and prosecution processes of the NBI and NPS. Under her watch, the Inter-Agency Committee on extralegal killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of persons was created. She also led the first major raid of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), which largely crippled the illegal drug trade in the correctional facility.

Elected on her first run as Senator in 2016. As Senator, she was the lone political figure who opposed Duterte’s drug war during its first months and led a Senate investigation on the same. As a result, she was falsely charged and imprisoned by Duterte barely eight months into her term. Despite this, she was still able to principally author major legislations, such as the 4Ps Law and the Magna Carta of the Poor.

A human rights defender and social justice champion, she was unjustly detained for almost seven years for speaking truth to power.

She has two children, Israel and Vincent Joshua, and two grandchildren, Brandon and Hannah.