Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister Khaleda Zia Dies at 80

Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, has died at 80 after a prolonged illness. Zia, a pioneering leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, broke through a male-dominated political landscape, serving multiple terms and championing women’s education and social development. Her career was marked by a decades-long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, periods in government and opposition, and controversies including corruption charges she denied.

Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, Khaleda Zia, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. Zia rose to prominence as the wife of former President Ziaur Rahman and entered politics following his assassination in 1981, eventually leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to victory in the country’s first democratic election in 20 years in 1991. She became Bangladesh’s first female head of government, breaking through a male-dominated political landscape and becoming known as a formidable and uncompromising leader.
During her first term, Zia’s government was praised for efforts to improve women’s education, social development, and for restoring parliamentary democracy through constitutional amendments supported across party lines. Her brief second term in 1996 faced criticism over a one-sided election, while her third term starting in 2001 attracted allegations of corruption, which she denied, claiming political motivation.
Zia’s political career was defined by her long-standing rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, alternating between government and opposition and shaping Bangladeshi politics for decades. Despite her deteriorating health, she had planned to contest upcoming general elections expected in February.
News of her death sparked crowds outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been receiving treatment. Physicians had described her condition as “extremely critical,” noting that her age and overall health made intensive treatment difficult. The BNP announced her passing on social media, paying tribute to her legacy as a trailblazing leader and enduring symbol of resistance in Bangladeshi politics.