Remembering Khaleda Zia: Bangladesh's Pioneering Female Prime Minister

Tue Dec 30 2025 22:41:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a complex political legacy defined by her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister and a significant political figure for decades, died at the age of 80 from illness. Known for her opposition to Sheikh Hasina, Zia's political journey saw her rise to power after the assassination of her husband. Her legacy includes both social reforms and a volatile relationship with current political dynamics in the country. Many leaders and supporters paid tribute to her contributions to Bangladesh.

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. 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. Zia's political journey began when her husband was killed in a military coup in 1981. Entering politics, she eventually led the BNP during the country’s first elections in 20 years.

Over the past 16 years, as the opposition leader, Zia became a symbol of resistance against Hasina's government. She had boycotted previous elections and faced legal challenges that her supporters claim were politically motivated.

Condolences poured in from around the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sadness over her death and acknowledged her contributions to Bangladesh and bilateral relations. In a statement, interim leader Muhammad Yunus reflected on Zia's legacy, stating, The nation has lost a great guardian... Her role in the struggle for democracy will be remembered forever. Zia's family was by her side during her final moments, and the BNP called for prayers for her soul.