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

Khaleda Zia, the first woman to serve as prime minister of Bangladesh, passed away in Dhaka on October 24, 2023, at the age of 80. Her death follows a prolonged illness, including complications from cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, and heart issues, as reported by her medical team. Zia played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Bangladesh over several decades, becoming a central figure in the nation’s history.

Zia first assumed the role of prime minister in 1991, emerging as a dominant force in Bangladeshi politics alongside her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina. The two leaders, who defined the political atmosphere of the country, alternated in power for years while leading their respective parties. With Zia’s passing and Hasina’s ousting last year amid widespread protests, a notable era of women in leadership within the nation appears to have come to an end.

Despite being out of power since 2006 and spending time in jail and under house arrest during Hasina’s administration, Zia maintained substantial support among her followers and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). She faced multiple corruption charges, which she claimed were politically motivated. In January 2025, Zia was acquitted of her final charge, paving the way for her anticipated return to politics. Following medical treatment in London earlier this year, she returned to Bangladesh just months ago.

As the political situation in Bangladesh evolved, Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, recently returned from self-imposed exile and is poised to inherit her political legacy. Since August 2024, Bangladesh has been governed by an interim administration led by banker Muhammad Yunus, who expressed profound sorrow over Zia’s death. He recognized her contributions to the nation’s history, designating her a “Very, Very Important Person” of the State.

India, one of Bangladesh’s key allies, also acknowledged Zia’s passing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, reflecting on the loss of a significant political figure within the region.

Zia’s journey in politics began after the assassination of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, a military leader and former president, in 1981. In 1984, she took charge of the BNP and aimed to fulfill his vision for Bangladesh. By joining forces with Hasina in the early 1990s, she helped topple military ruler Hossain Mohammad Ershad, but their collaboration soon devolved into a fierce rivalry, earning them the nickname “Battling Begums.”

In her first term as prime minister, Zia oversaw what was hailed as Bangladesh’s first free election in 1991, where she unexpectedly triumphed over Hasina with the support of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. Zia’s leadership marked significant changes, including the introduction of a parliamentary system and the implementation of compulsory free primary education. Though she lost the 1996 elections, she staged a comeback in 2001, though her second term faced challenges, including Islamist militancy and corruption allegations.

The political climate grew tumultuous, particularly after an assassination attempt on Hasina in 2004, which resulted in multiple casualties. Following a series of legal battles, Rahman was sentenced in absentia for his alleged involvement in the attack, a trial that the BNP condemned as politically charged.

Throughout her political career, Zia faced numerous obstacles, including a 17-year prison sentence related to corruption cases that she and her supporters claimed were designed to diminish her influence. Released in 2020, she continued to serve as the BNP’s chairperson until her death, despite not attending public political events in recent years.

Zia’s final public appearance took place on November 21, 2023, during an annual military function in Dhaka, where she appeared frail and in a wheelchair. She is survived by her elder son, Rahman, who is expected to lead the party in the future, and her younger son, Arafat, who passed away in 2015.

The political implications of Zia’s death remain to be seen, but her legacy as a pioneering female leader in a predominantly Muslim nation is indelible. Her contributions to Bangladesh’s struggle for democracy and development will be remembered as a crucial chapter in the country’s history.