Khaleda Zia Dies at 80 as Bangladesh Mourns Its First Female Prime Minister

Bangladesh awoke to a moment of profound sorrow as former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday morning at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after a long battle with illness. She was 80. According to her party, she died shortly after the Fajr prayer, around 6:00 a.m. local time, marking the end of an era for a woman who stood at the very center of the nation’s political life for decades.

Born in 1945, Khaleda Zia stepped into national leadership following the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, and went on to lead the Bangladesh Nationalist Party during some of the country’s most turbulent years. Her victory in the 1991 general election was historic, making her Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a key figure in restoring parliamentary democracy after years of military-backed rule.

Her political life was long, complex, and often contentious. For decades, Zia was locked in a fierce rivalry with Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina, a struggle popularly known as the “Battle of the Begums.” This rivalry defined Bangladesh’s political landscape, bringing moments of democratic progress alongside periods of deep polarization, street unrest, and political paralysis that shaped the country’s modern history.

In recent years, Khaleda Zia’s health had steadily declined. She suffered from several chronic conditions, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, and heart complications, according to doctors familiar with her treatment. She had been hospitalized since late November after developing respiratory problems and infections, and despite being under close medical supervision, her condition worsened in the days leading up to her death.

News of her passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from across Bangladesh and beyond. Leaders from different political camps, interim government officials, and international figures expressed grief and respect, acknowledging her long public service and the undeniable role she played in shaping the country’s political journey. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus described her as a “great guardian” of democratic values, while even longtime rivals paused to pay tribute.

Khaleda Zia’s death comes at a sensitive moment for Bangladesh, with national elections on the horizon and her party preparing for a renewed role in the political process following recent legal and electoral developments. As the nation mourns, her legacy remains both powerful and debated—defined by historic milestones, fierce political battles, controversy, and an enduring influence that will continue to be felt in Bangladesh’s politics for years to come.