Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, has died at 80 after a prolonged illness, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed. Her passing marks the end of a defining chapter in the nation’s political history
Legacy of a Political Pioneer
Khaleda Zia, who broke gender barriers to lead Bangladesh, passed away early Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after battling multiple health issues including liver, heart and diabetes-related complications.
Born into a middle-class family, Zia entered politics following the 1981 assassination of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, and became chairperson of the BNP in 1984. She led mass movements against military rule and became prime minister in 1991, the first woman to head the government in Bangladesh and only the second in a Muslim-majority democratic nation. �Her tenure saw initiatives such as mandatory primary education and girls’ schooling programmes. Zia served again as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, shaping policies on governance and education while navigating intense rivalry with Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina — a feud that dominated decades of politics.
Key Facts About Khaleda Zia’s Life & Career
- First female prime minister of Bangladesh, serving two terms (1991–96, 2001–06).
- Widowed by President Ziaur Rahman’s assassination (1981) and rose to lead the BNP.
- Suffered prolonged illness with advanced cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis and heart issues.
- Lived through political imprisonments, corruption trials and later acquittals.
- Her son, Tarique Rahman, recently returned to Bangladesh to lead the BNP’s election efforts.
Khaleda Zia’s death closes a pivotal era in Bangladesh’s political narrative — one marked by historic breakthroughs for women’s leadership and fierce partisan rivalries. Admired by supporters for her resilience and criticised by opponents for controversies, her influence on the nation’s democratic journey remains profound. World leaders and citizens alike have extended condolences, reflecting her enduring impact on South Asian polit
