Mother: Lindsay Rappaport
Father: Sam Rappaport (deceased)
Siblings: Will Rappaport, Matthew Rappaport (adoptive)
Niece: Megan Buchanan (deceased)
Aunts: Melanie MacIver, Grace Davidson (deceased)
Uncle: Ben Davidson (adoptive; deceased)
Significant Romantic Relationships: Cristian Vega, Rex Balsom (1st husband/divorced), Joey Buchanan (2nd husband/divorced), Riley Colson

Jennifer Rappaport attended boarding schools growing up, which prompted an early development of her rebellious streak. She arrived in Llanview fresh from school in Europe. As she tried to deal with her constantly bickering parents, Jen met Cristian Vega and there was an instant attraction between the two of them. Colin MacIver, Jen's former uncle (via marriage) maliciously told Jen that she was responsible for her parents divorce, as she had caught her mother having an affair years earlier. Guilt ridden, Jen began to party too much and endangered herself, but Cristian came to her rescue.

Having sufficiently displayed a hatred for Colin, Jen was a suspect when he was killed. Cristian supported her through this ordeal and the two began dating. After the real murderer was found, Jen's mother Lindsay decided that Cristian wasn't a suitable mate for Jen and set about to break them up. One of her many schemes involved setting up hidden cameras in Cristian's apartment and broadcasting them over the internet, making it appear as if Cristian was an exhibitionist who had set up the webcams himself. Disgusted, Jen broke up with him. Eventually the truth came out and the two young lovers reunited.

Lindsay soon learned that Cristian was working undercover with the police in an attempt to put RJ Gannon in jail. She told RJ, who sent a hit man after Cristian. After failing to get Cristian, the hit man, Keith, targeted Jen and began stalking her. In an effort to protect her, Cristian broke up with Jen. Hurt, Jen turned to her friend Al Holden for comfort. Al was in love with Jen, and the two had sex. Eventually Keith cornered Jen, but Cristian rescued her and confessed the entire truth. Relieved, Jen declared her love for Cristian and the two reunited.

Jen had a pregnancy scare, which she confided in her mother. Lindsay, wanting Jen to be with the more suitable Al, changed the pregnancy test so it appeared as if Jen was pregnant with Al's baby. Eventually the truth came out, but not before Cristian and Al had an altercation which resulted in Al being paralyzed. Guilt ridden, Jen promised to stand by Al's side. Al, who at this point was only pretending to be paralyzed, pressured Jen into marriage. Jen, still feeling responsible for Al's condition, agreed. Just as they were about to marry, Cristian interrupted the ceremony with the news that Al really could walk. Jen dumped Al and reunited with Cristian.

Jen soon realized that Cristian had deeper feelings for his close friend Natalie Buchanan, and was not happy about it. Her attempts to keep Cristian's attention failed, so Jen blackmailed, then seduced Al into sleeping with her in an effort to get pregnant. She then told Cristian she was pregnant with his child. Out of responsibility, Cristian promised to marry Jen. Despite her friend Marcie Walsh changing Jen's record to reflect a due date that would indicate Cristian, Al soon learned he was really the father of Jen's baby. Stressed by Al's threats to reveal the truth, as well as Cristian's feelings for Natalie, Jen miscarried just as she was about to marry Cristian. Things fizzled with Cristian, but Jen was determined to keep him from Natalie. Teaming up with Mitch Laurence, Jen lied to the police to make it appear as if Cristian had assaulted Mitch, which resulted in Cristian being thrown in jail. The truth came out and Jen found herself further ostracized in Llanview.

Jen began a sexual relationship with fellow outcast Rex Balsom. While performing mandated community service, Jen met Joey Buchanan and found herself drawn to him. When her father was murdered, Joey attempted to comfort Jen. Her grief caused her to act out, and Jen assisted Rex in burglarizing some Palace Hotel rooms, landing her in jail. Jen was assigned once again to community service and counseling under Joey's supervision. With a strong attraction between them, Joey fought getting involved with Jen for fear of violating professional ethics as her supervisor. A vindictive Jen spread a lie that she had sex with Joey, which nearly ruined his career before she finally confessed the truth. Despite her apologies, Joey decided against a relationship with Jen. This sent Jen directly into Rex's arms. She accepted his impulsive marriage proposal, and the two were wed.

Joey realized he truly cared for Jen, and the two slept together despite her marital status. Jen admitted her true feelings for Joey, and realized her marriage was a mistake. Jen wanted a divorce, but Rex refused. Thanks to a bribe by Kevin Buchanan, Rex agreed to the divorce. Soon after, Jen and Joey declared their love and married.

Jen found married life was not everything she imagined. She soon grew bored and frustrated by Joey's long hours at the vestry. Jen began to spend more and more time with Rex. After she discovered she was pregnant, she confided in Rex, but not in Joey. She planned on getting an abortion, but soon miscarried the baby. Determined to get Jen back, Rex masterminded Joey finding out about the miscarriage. Although she was angry, Jen found herself drawn to Rex and the two started sleeping together again. Despite her insistence, she wanted a baby, Joey found Jen's birth control pills and the two had a huge fight. Joey wanted to work things out, but a drunk Jen showed up while Joey was giving a sermon and declared their marriage over. Unable to make their marriage work, Joey left for London. Months later, they were divorced.

Jen began to drink even more heavily, while Rex professed his love. Jen remained noncommittal, but finally made steps to clean up her life and abandon her party girl ways, after nearly being the next victim of the Music Box killer. A deepening friendship with Riley Colson, whose girlfriend Flash had also moved to London, helped keep Jen on the straight and narrow. Rex continued to convince Jen that they belonged together, but she walked in on him kissing her mother, thwarting any hopes of reconciliation.

Jen's relationship with her mother remained strained after Lindsay continued her affair with Rex. Jen concentrated on her studies, but she was failing several classes thanks to her partying earlier in the year. Along with Riley, Marcie, Shannon McBain and other LU students was given a second chance to make up her classes from University president Viki Davison. President Davidson enlisted the students to rebuild the community center that had burned down in a fire. The group of students lived together in Viki's cottage (nicknamed "The Love House") and spent their days working on the community center. The experience brought Jen and Riley closer, and the two embarked on a romantic relationship.

Their romance hit a bump in the road when Paul Cramer blackmailed Jen with a sex tape of her mother and Rex, offering the tape in exchange for sex with Jen. Jen faked affection for Paul in order to get him drunk and get the tape, but Paul caught on and continued to harass her. Later, when Paul turned up dead, Jen topped the list of suspects. Rex was convinced that Jen was responsible for the crime, and did everything in his power to get her off the hook. When a security tape revealed that Rex planted the murder weapon in Dorian Lord's office, he was arrested, and admitted to Jen that he hid the gun to clear her name. Rex's undying loyalty has created tension for Jen and Riley, as has Riley's father playing a key role in the investigation against Jen. Despite this, Jen remains devoted to Riley, and is grateful he believes in her innocence. The two have recently decided to move in together.