Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia Passes Away at 80

December 30, 2025 — Begum Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a titan of the country’s political landscape, passed away early Tuesday morning. She was 80 years old.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed the news in an official statement, noting that their chairperson breathed her last at approximately 6:00 AM local time at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, shortly after the Fajr prayers.

A Long Battle with Illness

Zia had been battling a series of complex health issues for several years, including advanced liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and chronic heart and kidney complications. She had been under intensive medical care since late November, with specialists from the UK and US providing guidance to her local medical team.

Her passing marks a somber turning point for Bangladesh, occurring just as the nation prepares for pivotal national elections scheduled for February 2026.

The Legacy of the “Begum”

Khaleda Zia’s journey from a homemaker to a national leader is one of the most compelling stories in South Asian politics. Her public life began following the 1981 assassination of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.

• Democratic Pioneer: She rose to prominence in the 1980s by leading the movement against military rule, eventually becoming the country’s first female Prime Minister in 1991.
• Three-Time Leader: Zia served as Prime Minister for three terms (1991–1996 and 2001–2006). Her tenure was marked by a push for parliamentary democracy and education reforms, particularly for girls.
• Political Rivalry: For over three decades, the “Battle of the Begums”—her intense rivalry with Sheikh Hasina—defined the nation’s political identity, alternating power and shaping the country’s modern history.

Final Years and Political Shift

The last decade of Zia’s life was marred by legal challenges and house arrest under the administration of her rival, Sheikh Hasina. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically in August 2024 following a massive student-led uprising that forced Hasina to flee the country.

Upon her release from house arrest, Zia was eventually cleared of all corruption charges by the Supreme Court in early 2025. Despite her failing health, she remained a symbol of hope for her supporters, even promising to campaign for her party one last time.

A Nation in Mourning

Tributes have begun pouring in from around the globe. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus expressed deep condolences, describing her as a “source of utmost inspiration for the nation.”

Her elder son and acting BNP chairman, Tarique Rahman, who recently returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, was by her side during her final days. He is now expected to lead the party as it moves toward the upcoming elections.