Bangladesh’s political landscape was rocked on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, with the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female prime minister and one of its most consequential political figures. Zia died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, ending a dramatic and often polarising chapter in the nation’s modern political history.
End of a Political Era: Khaleda Zia’s Death Confirmed
Khaleda Zia passed away at 6 a.m. local time at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, her party — the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) — announced. Doctors had treated her for multiple health issues, including advanced liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes and chest and heart problems.
In a statement shared on social media, the BNP said: “Our beloved national leader is no longer with us.” The party urged supporters and citizens to pray for her soul.
Her death came during a period of political transition in Bangladesh, weeks before a general election scheduled for February 2026, in which Zia and her party were expected to play pivotal roles.
From Housewife to Head of Government: Early Life and Rise
Born into a relatively private life, Khaleda Zia entered politics following the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. She took the helm of the party her husband had founded, the BNP, in 1984.
Zia’s rise coincided with widespread demands for democratic reform following the autocratic rule of Hussain Mohammad Ershad. She became a key figure in the movement that ultimately forced Ershad from power in 1990.
In **1991 — Bangladesh’s first national election deemed genuinely free and fair — she won a surprise victory over longtime rival Sheikh Hasina, becoming the first woman to serve as prime minister not only in Bangladesh but also one of the earliest women to head a democratic government in a predominantly Muslim country.
Political Turbulence and Rivalry: The ‘Battling Begums’
Zia’s time in office, which included terms from 1991 to 1996 and 2001 to 2006, was defined by fierce competition with Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League. The rivalry between the two women — often called the “battling Begums” — shaped Bangladeshi politics for decades, with power alternating between them and each leading opposing political dynasties.
During her administrations, Zia implemented key governance reforms, including transitioning Bangladesh from a presidential to a parliamentary system, expanding access to education and promoting foreign investment. She also championed welfare programs, including stipends and free schooling aimed at increasing girls’ education.
However, her tenure was not without controversy. The rise of militant violence, including a deadly grenade attack in 2004 targeting a rally led by Hasina, and persistent corruption allegations marred her later years in office.
Legal Battles and Later Years
After stepping down in 2006 amid political instability, Zia faced an array of corruption charges. In 2018, she was convicted in a high-profile case, though her supporters and international observers criticised the proceedings as politically motivated. She was later moved to house arrest on humanitarian grounds due to failing health.
Her legal troubles eased in early 2025 when the Bangladesh Supreme Court acquitted her in the major unresolved corruption case, clearing the path for her potential election campaign. Zia’s return to public life in 2025 had been tentative, constrained by health challenges, but her political influence remained significant.
Political Legacy and Upcoming Election
In the lead-up to the 2026 general election, Zia’s party was widely seen as a leading contender, and her eldest son, Tarique Rahman, returned from nearly two decades in exile to assume a central leadership role within the BNP. His political future was closely tied to his mother’s legacy and the party’s performance in the polls.
Though Zia had stepped back from day-to-day politics, she continued to be regarded by supporters as a symbol of resilience and democratic struggle. Interim government figures described her as a source of inspiration for many Bangladeshis, particularly within the opposition.
National and International Reactions
News of Zia’s death prompted responses from across Bangladesh’s political spectrum and beyond. Even former rival Sheikh Hasina, currently in exile, called Zia’s passing a “profound loss” for the nation and acknowledged her contributions to democratic culture.
Leaders abroad also offered condolences. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, praising her role in nurturing development and bilateral ties, while Pakistan’s government described her as a committed leader. The United States embassy in Dhaka echoed these sentiments, highlighting her impact on the country’s history and governance.
Within Bangladesh, a three-day period of state mourning was declared, with a general holiday planned for Zia’s funeral, underscoring her stature in national affairs.
Assessing a Complex Legacy
Khaleda Zia’s political life was deeply interwoven with Bangladesh’s post-independence trajectory. She played a central role in transitioning the country toward electoral democracy, broke gender barriers in high political office and helped shape the nation’s party system. Yet her career was also marked by intense partisanship, legal battles and governance challenges that fuelled ongoing debate about her impact on Bangladesh’s development.
Her rivalry with Hasina reflected deeper cleavages in Bangladeshi society, and the alternating dominance of their respective parties defined political discourse for generations. Zia’s death not only concludes a remarkable political life but also signals a broader generational shift ahead of elections that could chart a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history.
End of an Era
As Bangladesh enters a period of reflection and transition, Khaleda Zia’s passing resonates beyond the nation’s borders. Her ascendancy as a female leader in a major Muslim-majority democracy, her resilience through political and personal adversity, and her role in shaping a contentious political era ensure that her legacy will be studied and debated for years to come.
Her death, at the age of 80, marks not just the end of a life but the passing of one of the most emblematic figures in Bangladesh’s modern political narrative.
