Khaleda Zia, a dominant force in Bangladesh politics and the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has died at the age of 80. The former Prime Minister passed away on Tuesday after an extended period of illness, during which she was hospitalized at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Her condition had deteriorated significantly, requiring her to be on ventilator support.
The official communication from the BNP confirmed her death early Tuesday morning, stating it occurred around 6:00 a.m. The party extended its condolences and appealed for prayers for the departed leader.
Throughout her career, Khaleda Zia was a pivotal figure, leading the BNP and holding the office of Prime Minister for two terms (1991-1996 and 2001-2006). As the wife of assassinated President Zia-ur Rahman, she rose to become Bangladesh’s first elected female head of government and commanded significant influence. Her political life was often defined by her intense rivalry with Sheikh Hasina. Her son, Tarique Rahman, who is the acting chairperson of the BNP, visited her in the hospital.
Born in West Bengal in 1945, Zia’s political trajectory was central to Bangladesh’s post-independence era. She is survived by her son Tarique Rahman. Her other son, Arafat Rahman, died in 2015. Zia faced legal challenges, including corruption convictions in 2018, which her party argued were politically motivated. Following the recent political transitions in August 2024, which led to the downfall of the Awami League government, Khaleda Zia was released from house arrest, paving the way for the BNP’s resurgence.