López held other important political offices such as Minister of the Interior (1836–1837) and Mayor of Madrid in 1840.

The origins of Joaquín's family go back to the thirteenth century, when they are documented as an old noble Aragonese family which settled in the new areas conquered by King James I of Aragon as a result of their economic support in the military campaigns in the Kingdom of Valencia, as well as having participated in the reconquest of the Kingdom of Murcia by King Alfonso X between 1242 and 1243.

One of the most important events during his prime ministership was the decision of declaring Queen Isabella II full-age and capable of reigning.

Shortly after, he left politics only to return briefly between 1849 and 1853 to become Senator and Special Minister of the War Tribunal and Navy.

He was a strong advocate for the role of women, the abolition of mayorazgos, the reformation of education and the instauration of universal democracy and rejected several times honours such as marquisates and honoroury salaries.