Chilel Jawara is the daughter of the wealthy businessman Momodou Musa N'Jie (c. 1914–1990), a member of the Toucouleur people.
After his daughter's marriage to Jawara, he became a supporter of the People's Progressive Party (PPP).
In 1981, during the coup attempt led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, Chilel Jawara was rescued by either the British Special Air Service or, according to other sources, the Senegalese military, from the coup plotters who had held her hostage for almost one week.
[2][3][4] Chilel Jawara accompanied her husband on trips abroad, including to China in 1975 and 1991,[5][6] and South Korea in 1984.
[7] In 1993, she received the Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry from the President of Portugal.