Khaleda Zia, a dominant figure in Bangladesh politics and the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has passed away at the age of 80. She died early Tuesday at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she was receiving medical care for a severe lung infection and other chronic ailments. Her departure comes at a pivotal time, with national elections scheduled for February 2026, leaving a significant void in the country’s political leadership.
Begum Zia had been hospitalized since late November, struggling with a combination of health issues including heart problems, diabetes, arthritis, and liver and kidney complications. News emerged earlier this month suggesting she might be moved to London for more advanced medical treatment.
The BNP confirmed her passing through an official statement, expressing profound grief and calling for prayers for her soul. Funeral arrangements and related official announcements are pending.
Khaleda Zia’s political journey began after the tragic assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. She took the helm of the BNP in 1984 and rose to become Prime Minister in 1991, marking a historic first for Bangladesh and a significant achievement for women in leadership roles in the Muslim world. Her tenure as Prime Minister spanned from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006.
Her son, Tarique Rahman, a key figure in the BNP, recently returned to Bangladesh after a prolonged period of exile in London. His return coincided with recent political changes in the country. He had visited his mother at the hospital shortly after his arrival.