Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and one of the most influential figures in the country’s modern political history, passed away early Tuesday morning at the age of 80 following a long period of serious illness.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which she led for decades, confirmed her death in a statement posted on social media, saying she breathed her last at around 6 a.m. Zia had been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where her condition had deteriorated sharply in recent days.
Doctors treating her had described her health as “extremely critical,” noting that she had been placed on life support. Given her advanced age and multiple health complications, including kidney failure, heart disease, and pneumonia, physicians said it was not medically feasible to pursue aggressive parallel treatments.
As news of her death spread, supporters gathered outside the hospital, prompting heightened security as police attempted to control the crowds and prevent entry into the premises.
A Trailblazer in Bangladeshi Politics
Khaleda Zia rose to prominence at a turning point in Bangladesh’s political journey. In 1991, she led the BNP to victory in the country’s first democratic election in two decades, becoming the nation’s first female head of government and restoring parliamentary democracy after years of military-backed rule.
Her entry into public life followed the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in a 1981 military coup. Initially known as a reserved public figure, she gradually emerged as a determined political force, eventually taking charge of the BNP and reshaping the opposition landscape.
Zia earned a reputation as a firm and uncompromising leader, particularly during the 1980s when she refused to legitimise elections held under military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Her stance helped cement her status as a central figure in the fight for democratic governance in a largely male-dominated political arena.
Years in Power and Controversy
Her first full term as prime minister was widely credited with strengthening democratic institutions and advancing initiatives focused on women’s education and social development. With bipartisan support, her government amended the constitution to formally reintroduce parliamentary democracy.
However, her political career was also marked by controversy. A brief second term in 1996 drew criticism after a disputed election that opposition parties boycotted, leading to fresh polls under a caretaker arrangement. Zia returned to power again in 2001, serving until 2006, when her government faced allegations of widespread corruption and governance failures.
Rivalry That Defined an Era
For decades, Bangladeshi politics revolved around the intense rivalry between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League. The two women alternated between power and opposition, shaping the nation’s political discourse through personal and ideological confrontation.
After the Awami League consolidated power, Zia became the most prominent face of opposition politics. She boycotted the 2014 general election following the abolition of the caretaker government system, arguing it undermined electoral neutrality. In subsequent years, she was convicted in corruption cases, imprisoned, and later released on medical grounds. Zia consistently denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.
Final Chapter and Political Legacy
Despite prolonged illness and years away from active public life, Zia remained a symbolic leader for opposition forces. The BNP had recently indicated that she would take part in campaigning ahead of general elections expected in February, following mass protests that led to the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power.
Zia was released from custody last year, shortly after the political upheaval that forced Hasina into exile. Her party has since been preparing for a potential return to government, with expectations that her son, Tarique Rahman, would assume national leadership if the BNP regains power. Rahman, 60, returned to Bangladesh last week after nearly 17 years in self-imposed exile in London.
Family members, including Rahman, his wife, and daughter, were present during Zia’s final moments, the BNP said.
Tributes Pour In
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed deep sorrow over her passing, describing Khaleda Zia as a “symbol of the democratic movement” and a lasting source of inspiration for the nation. He said her contributions to multi-party democracy and the defense of citizens’ rights would be remembered for generations.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed condolences, saying he was “deeply saddened” by her death and acknowledging her role in strengthening Bangladesh and fostering bilateral ties with India.
As Bangladesh prepares to bid farewell to one of its most consequential political figures, Khaleda Zia’s legacy—marked by resilience, controversy, and a defining role in the country’s democratic struggle—continues to shape the nation’s political narrative.
