Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passes away, bids farewell to the world at the age of 80

Khaleda Zia Death News: Veteran leader of Bangladeshi politics and BNP chairperson, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday morning at 6 am. The 80-year-old Khaleda Zia had been suffering from liver cirrhosis, heart and lung-related diseases for a long time and was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23. The BNP confirmed her death after the Fajr prayer and appealed to the nation for prayers. Her death is being considered the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics. Condolence messages are pouring in from across the country, and security has been tightened.

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Sheikh Hasina expresses grief over Khaleda Zia's death

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep sorrow over the death of BNP chief and former PM Begum Khaleda Zia. She said that Khaleda Zia's contribution as the country's first female prime minister and in the struggle for the establishment of democracy will always be remembered. Sheikh Hasina described it as a great loss for Bangladeshi politics and offered her condolences to her son Tarique Rahman, her family, and BNP workers.

Sheikh Hasina expresses condolences on the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia
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I extend my deepest condolences on the passing of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to… pic.twitter.com/gqvSEzzVlS

— Bangladesh Awami League (@albd1971) December 30, 2025

Mamata Banerjee expresses grief

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and prominent public figure Begum Khaleda Zia. She said that Khaleda Zia's death is a great loss to the politics of the subcontinent. In her condolence message, Mamata Banerjee expressed her sympathies to Khaleda Zia's family, friends, and supporters.

বাংলাদেশের প্রাক্তন প্রধানমন্ত্রী তথা অন্যতম জননেত্রী বেগম খালেদা জিয়ার প্রয়াণে আমি শোকাহত।

আমি তাঁর শোকসন্তপ্ত পরিবার,বন্ধুবান্ধব ও তাঁর রাজনৈতিক সহকর্মীদের আমার সমবেদনা জানাচ্ছি।

Saddened by the demise of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 30, 2025

BNP announces 7 days of mourning after Khaleda Zia's death

Following the death of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has announced seven days of mourning.

Controversial chapter in Dhaka's politics comes to an end

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia She passed away this morning after the Fajr prayer. Born in India, Khaleda Zia, known as 'Putul', was an influential figure in Dhaka politics for decades. While in power, her stance towards India was often tough and confrontational. Her death is being seen as the end of a long and controversial era in Bangladeshi politics.

Who was Khaleda Zia?

Former Bangladeshi PM Khaleda Zia was born on August 15, 1945. She was the wife of Ziaur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh. She entered politics after the assassination of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, and took charge of the BNP party. Khaleda Zia also faced corruption charges and was even jailed in 2018. However, she was released on health grounds, but remained under a kind of house arrest.

Bangladesh 's first female PM

Khaleda Zia served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and returned to the post again from 2001 to 2006. She was the country's first female Prime Minister. She was the wife of former Bangladeshi President and Army Chief Ziaur Rahman. Also Read: Wedding bells to ring soon in the Gandhi family, Priyanka's son Rehan gets engaged

Summary

Khaleda Zia came to power through a popular mandate in the 1991 national elections. During her tenure, the parliamentary system was restored, and free and fair elections were ensured. In 2007, when a military-backed caretaker government took power, Khaleda Zia, along with several other political leaders including Sheikh Hasina, was imprisoned. Later, Zia was released and contested the 2008 parliamentary elections, but his party failed to win.