Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has passed away at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, her party confirmed on Tuesday. She died while receiving treatment at a private hospital in the capital, Dhaka, marking the end of a long and influential chapter in the country’s political history.
According to a statement released by the BNP, Khaleda Zia breathed her last at around 6:00am local time, shortly after morning prayers. Party officials said she had been under intensive medical care for several weeks following a deterioration in her health.
Khaleda Zia was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Dhaka on November 23, 2025, after suffering from complications related to infections affecting her heart and lungs. She remained hospitalised for more than a month, during which doctors closely monitored her condition. Despite ongoing treatment, her health continued to decline.
In its statement, the BNP expressed deep sorrow over her death and extended condolences to her family, supporters and well-wishers. The party said prayers were being offered for her departed soul and called on the public to remember her legacy and contributions to the nation.
Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and one of the most prominent political figures in the country’s post-independence era. She served as prime minister twice, first from 1991 to 1996 and later from 2001 to 2006. Over decades, she played a central role in shaping Bangladesh’s political landscape and was a key figure in the country’s two-party system.
Born in 1945, Khaleda Zia rose to political prominence after the assassination of her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. She later took over leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and became one of the most influential opposition leaders before eventually leading the government.
Throughout her political career, Khaleda Zia was known for her firm stance on national sovereignty, economic development and democratic governance. Her leadership years were marked by both political achievements and intense rivalry, particularly with her longtime political opponent, Sheikh Hasina.
In recent years, Khaleda Zia had largely remained out of active politics due to serious health issues. She had been battling multiple chronic conditions, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes and long-term complications affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyesight.
Her treatment was overseen by a specialised medical board led by senior cardiologist Dr Shahabuddin Talukdar. The board included medical experts from Bangladesh as well as specialists from the United Kingdom, the United States, China and Australia. Doctors had been providing round-the-clock care and adjusting treatment plans as her condition evolved.
Earlier this month, there were discussions about transferring Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment. However, those plans were ultimately abandoned after doctors assessed that her condition was too fragile to withstand long-distance travel.
Political leaders from across Bangladesh are expected to issue statements in the coming hours paying tribute to her life and public service. Her death is likely to prompt a period of national reflection, given her longstanding role in the country’s political development.
Details regarding funeral arrangements and official commemorations have not yet been announced. BNP officials said further information would be shared after consultations with her family.
Khaleda Zia’s passing closes a significant era in Bangladeshi politics. For supporters, she will be remembered as a pioneering female leader who helped shape modern Bangladesh’s political identity. For critics, her career reflected the deep divisions and challenges that have characterised the nation’s political journey.
As Bangladesh mourns the loss of one of its most recognisable political figures, attention is expected to turn to how her party and the broader political environment will navigate the period ahead without her presence.