Bangladesh Mourning the Loss of Khaleda Zia, First Female Prime Minister

Tue Dec 30 2025 07:11:32 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Khaleda Zia, the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has passed away at the age of 80 after battling a prolonged illness, a poignant loss for the nation's political landscape.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister, has died at 80 following a long illness. Her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), announced her passing, stating she was on life support before her death. Zia was a key figure in Bangladesh's politics, first assuming office in 1991 and serving again from 2001 until 2006, amidst allegations of corruption and political rivalry.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister, has died at the age of 80 after suffering from a prolonged illness.

Our favourite leader is no longer with us. She left us at 6am this morning, Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced on Facebook.

Physicians had said on Monday night that Zia's condition was extremely critical. She was on life support, but doctors explained that due to her advanced age and poor health, providing multiple treatments was not feasible.

Zia rose to prominence as Bangladesh's first female head of government in 1991, leading the BNP to victory in the nation's first democratic election in 20 years.

She returned to the position of prime minister in 2001, stepping down in October 2006 prior to a general election.

Zia's political career was riddled with controversy, including allegations of corruption and a longstanding rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the Awami League. In 2018, Zia was sentenced to five years in prison on corruption charges.