Begum Khaleda Zia, the trailblazing first female prime minister of Bangladesh, has died at the age of 80, her political party confirmed on Tuesday. Her passing marks the end of an era defined by her intense and enduring rivalry with political opponent Sheikh Hasina.
A Political Rivalry That Shaped a Nation
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which Zia chaired, announced her death in an official statement. She passed away at 6am, shortly after dawn prayers. The party requested the nation to pray for the forgiveness of her soul.
Zia's political career was inextricably linked with that of her archrival, Sheikh Hasina. This rivalry formed the central axis of Bangladeshi politics for a generation. Zia first won power in 1991 and served a second term from 2001, with Hasina often as her direct electoral opponent.
Legal Battles and a Brief Political Resurgence
In her later years, Zia faced significant legal and health challenges. She was convicted in corruption cases she maintained were politically motivated. However, in a significant turn of events in January 2025, Bangladesh's Supreme Court acquitted her in the final corruption case, clearing a path for a potential political comeback.
After receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom, she returned to Bangladesh in May 2025. Her travel abroad was permitted by an interim government after the previous administration, led by Hasina, had rejected such requests at least 18 times.
Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia demonstrated her enduring political spirit in November 2025. She vowed to campaign in the elections scheduled for February 2026, which were set to be the first national vote since a mass uprising toppled Hasina's government the previous year. Her BNP party was widely viewed as a frontrunner in that contest.
Final Illness and National Tribute
Her political resurgence was cut short by a rapid decline in her health. In late November, she was rushed to hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, her condition deteriorated due to a multitude of health issues.
During her final days, interim leader Muhammad Yunus called upon the nation to pray for her, describing Zia as a "source of utmost inspiration for the nation."
Zia's entry into politics was borne from tragedy. She was the widow of President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated during a military coup in 1981. Following his death, she helped build a mass movement against the military dictatorship, which was ultimately ousted in 1990, paving her way to the premiership.
