Bangladesh’s Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and one of its most influential political leaders, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 while undergoing medical treatment in Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said. She died at around 6:00 a.m. local time after a prolonged illness marked by multiple age-related health issues.
Khaleda Zia had been battling advanced cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, arthritis, heart and chest complications for some time and was hospitalised late November. Despite efforts to manage her condition locally — and plans to transfer her abroad for specialised treatment that did not materialise — her health steadily deteriorated.
Zia’s political career shaped Bangladesh’s modern history. Born on 15 August 1945 in Dinajpur, she entered politics after the 1981 assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, becoming chairperson of the BNP and leading the party for decades. She served as prime minister twice — from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006 — and was a central figure in Bangladesh’s shift towards parliamentary democracy, as well as in national debates over secularism, governance and political freedoms.
Her tenure was marked by a fierce and long-running political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, leader of the rival Awami League. The “Begums’ rivalry” defined Bangladeshi politics for decades, often triggering mass protests, political stalemates and deep divisions. Zia’s supporters credit her with strengthening democratic processes and national development, while critics pointed to corruption allegations and controversial alliances with Islamist parties.
In recent years, Zia faced legal battles and health setbacks. She was imprisoned on corruption charges in 2018, which supporters said were politically motivated, and only regained freedom and medical care after political changes in 2024. Her son, Tarique Rahman, the BNP’s acting chairperson, returned to Bangladesh after years in exile amid hopes for revitalising the party’s future — a future now shadowed by her passing.
Zia’s death has prompted an outpouring of condolences internationally and across Bangladesh’s political spectrum. The BNP has announced a period of mourning, with black flags and prayer gatherings planned nationwide. Leaders including Bangladesh’s interim government adviser Muhammad Yunus and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow, noting her contributions to her country and regional ties.
Her legacy remains complex — emblematic of democratic struggle, fierce political contestation, and enduring influence on Bangladesh’s political landscape.
