Bangladesh Mourns the Loss of Khaleda Zia, its First Female Prime Minister

Tue Dec 30 2025 23:31:18 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Khaleda Zia, a pioneering figure in Bangladeshi politics and the first female Prime Minister of the country, passed away at the age of 80, leaving behind a complex legacy marked by rivalry, resilience, and moments of democratic triumph.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister and a significant political figure, passed away from a prolonged illness at the age of 80. Known for her tumultuous political career marked by rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, Zia's legacy includes her efforts to enhance women's education and reinstating democracy in Bangladesh. Her death has sparked mourning among supporters and tributes from political figures, highlighting her impactful role in the country's history.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister and an arch-rival of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, has died from a prolonged illness. She was 80 years old.

Zia intended to run for parliament in February, when the country will vote for the first time since a popular revolution in late 2024 unseated Hasina.

Thrust into the political limelight following the assassination of her husband, then-president Ziaur Rahman, she went on to become Bangladesh's first female PM in 1991.

Her career, which included spells in prison and house arrest, was defined by a bitter feud with Hasina. She was acquitted of corruption and allowed to travel to London for treatment only after Hasina lost power.

Physicians said on Monday that Zia's condition was 'extremely critical.' She was put on life support, but it was not possible to provide multiple treatments at the same time given her age and overall poor health, they added.

'Our favourite leader is no longer with us. She left us at 6am this morning,' Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Facebook on Tuesday.

When news of her death broke, crowds gathered outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka where Zia had been admitted.

As the wife of Bangladesh's former president Rahman, Zia was a reserved presence alongside her famous husband. After his assassination in a military coup in 1981, she entered politics and led the BNP in the country's first elections in 20 years.

Zia's tenure as prime minister saw strides in women's education and democracy, though she faced significant challenges including corruption allegations. Her legacy is one of both achievement and contention, symbolizing the complexities of Bangladeshi politics.

Sudden tributes poured in following her death from many, including India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acknowledging her contributions to Bangladesh and its relations with India and Pakistan.

Zia's family and party members were present during her last moments, reflecting the deep emotional connection her supporters felt for her.