Archive · 31 Dec 2025
Bangladesh's First Female PM Khaleda Zia Dies at 80
Khaleda Zia, who was the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has passed away at the age of 80.
She was very sick for a long time and was being treated in a hospital in Dhaka.
Her family, including her son and daughter-in-law, visited her before she passed away.
Many people in Bangladesh are sad and are praying for her.
She was an important political leader in the country.
Khaleda Zia had a long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, another prominent political figure in Bangladesh.
She served as Prime Minister three times and was known for her efforts to improve education and women's rights.
Despite facing legal issues and spending time in prison, she remained a significant figure in Bangladeshi politics until her death.
Her son, Tarique Rahman, who was in exile, returned to Bangladesh to be with her before she died.
People are planning to have a big funeral for her on Wednesday.
India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, will attend the funeral, and the country has declared a three-day state mourning.
The next parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, passed away at the age of 80 on December 30, 2025, at 6:00 am at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka due to prolonged illness.
She had been battling multiple health complications, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and chronic issues affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes.
Her son, Tarique Rahman, and other family members visited her at the hospital before her death.
Khaleda Zia was a polarizing figure in Bangladesh's political history, known for her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina and her role in shaping the country's democratic landscape.
Her funeral is likely to be held on Wednesday at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, with full state honours, and India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will attend the funeral.
- Who
- Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and BNP Chairperson
- What
- Passed away due to prolonged illness
- When
- December 30, 2025, at 6:00 am
- Where
- Evercare Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Why
- Due to multiple health complications, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and chronic issues affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyes
- Name
- Khaleda Zia
- Role
- Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and BNP Chairperson
- Age
- 80
- Date of Death
- December 30, 2025
- Time of Death
- 6:00 am
- Place of Death
- Evercare Hospital, Dhaka
- Health Complications
- Liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, chronic kidney, lung, heart, and eye issues
- Treatment Duration
- 5 weeks
- Visitors
- Tarique Rahman (son), Zubaida Rahman (daughter-in-law), Zaima Rahman (granddaughter)
- Political Affiliation
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
- Rival
- Sheikh Hasina
- Notable Achievements
- First female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, served three terms (1991-1996, 1996 briefly, 2001-2006)
- Legal Issues
- Faced multiple corruption charges, acquitted in January 2025
- Exile
- Returned to Bangladesh in May 2025 after medical treatment in the UK
- Son's Role
- Tarique Rahman, acting BNP chairman, returned from exile in 2025
- Interim Government
- Bangladesh has been run by an interim government since August 2024
- Funeral
- Likely to be held on Wednesday at Manik Mia Avenue, Dhaka
- Indian Connection
- Born in Jalpaiguri, British India, now West Bengal, India
- Condolences
- Received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other international leaders
- State Mourning
- Three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday declared
- Funeral Attendees
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other foreign ministers
- Upcoming Elections
- Parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12, 2026
Sources
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