Elin Jones was born in 1966, and she was raised on a farm in Llanwnnen near Lampeter. She attended Llanwnnen Primary School and Lampeter Comprehensive School.
After graduating from Cardiff University with a BSc in Economics, Elin went on to study for an MSc degree in Rural Economics at Aberystwyth University, before working as an Economic Development Officer for the Rural Wales Development Board. She was also a director at Radio Ceredigion and Wes Glei Ltd, a television production company.
Between 1992 and 1999, Elin was a member of Aberystwyth Town Council – she was the town’s youngest mayor during the 1997 – 1998 municipal year.
At the first elections to the National Assembly in 1999, Elin was elected as the first Assembly Member for Ceredigion. During the early years, Elin was Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on rural affairs and economic development. Elin also served as the party’s National Chair between 2000 and 2002.
In 2007, the 'One Wales' coalition government was formed, and Elin was appointed the Minister for Rural Affairs. Two years later, Elin won the Assembly Member of the Year award, and the Farming Weekly’s ‘UK Farming Champion’ award.
In 2016, Elin was elected as Presiding Officer (Llywydd) of the National Assembly. In her role as Llywydd, Elin has led on establishing a Youth Parliament for Wales, extending the voting franchise for Welsh elections to 16 and 17-year-olds, and changed the name of the National Assembly to Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament.
Elin has continued to campaign for matters relating to Ceredigion and the whole of Wales, including local hospitals and local health services, agricultural policy, and the National Library.
After living for many years in Aberystwyth, Elin now lives in Aberaeron and among her interests lists music, films and reading.