Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, dies at the age of 80 after battling a prolonged illness, her party confirms. Her death marks the end of one of the most influential and polarising chapters in the country’s political history.
Zia, a long-time rival of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, had been on life support at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after doctors described her condition as “extremely critical.” The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announces she passed away at 6am on Tuesday, prompting crowds to gather outside the hospital.
Thrust into politics following the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981, she rose from relative obscurity to lead the BNP and become prime minister in 1991, breaking barriers in a male-dominated political system.
Known for her uncompromising stance against military rule in the 1980s, Zia earns praise for restoring parliamentary democracy and advancing women’s education during her first term. However, later administrations attract criticism over disputed elections and corruption allegations, which she consistently denies.
Over the past 16 years, Zia stands as a symbol of opposition to Hasina’s rule, enduring imprisonment, house arrest and political exile. She is released in January 2025 following mass protests that topple the Awami League government.
Despite declining health, Zia remains a central figure ahead of upcoming elections, with her party signalling a return to power and positioning her son, Tarique Rahman, as a future leader.
Tributes pour in from across Bangladesh and abroad. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus calls her a “symbol of the democratic movement,” while India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi praises her role in strengthening regional ties.
Zia dies surrounded by family, leaving behind a legacy defined by resilience, rivalry and a lasting imprint on Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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