Khaleda Zia Death 2025: Bangladesh's First Female PM Passes Away at 80

A defining chapter of South Asian politics closed today. Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged battle with multiple health complications. Her passing on December 30, 2025, comes at a critical juncture as the nation prepares for general elections in February.

According to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Zia breathed her last at 6:00 AM at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Doctors confirmed she'd been on life support, battling kidney damage, heart disease, and pneumonia. Despite her deteriorating health, she'd remained the spiritual and political anchor for millions of supporters.

Khaleda Zia Death and the End of an Era

Zia's political journey began in the shadow of tragedy following the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. She transformed from a 'shy housewife' into a formidable leader, leading the BNP to victory in 1991 in Bangladesh's first democratic election in two decades. For years, her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina dictated the nation's political rhythm.

While she faced corruption charges and imprisonment under the Hasina administration in 2018, Zia maintained that the allegations were politically motivated. Her release earlier this year, following the revolution that ousted Hasina, was seen as a major victory for her party.

The Rise of Tarique Rahman

With Zia's passing, the spotlight shifts to her son, Tarique Rahman. After 17 years in exile, Rahman's recent return to Dhaka signals a generational shift. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus described Zia as a "source of utmost inspiration" for the country during this period of mourning.