Dhaka, December 30: Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has passed away. (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un). She breathed her last at 6:00 am on Tuesday (December 30).
The news of her death was confirmed through separate posts on the BNP Media Cell’s Facebook page and the party’s verified official page. In a message issued by the BNP Chairperson’s press wing, it was stated that her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain formally confirmed her demise.
At the time of her death, Begum Khaleda Zia was at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, surrounded by close family members, including her elder son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman, granddaughter Zaima Rahman, her younger son’s wife Shamila Rahman Sithi, younger brother Shamim Eskandar, elder sister Selina Islam, as well as other relatives. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the medical board overseeing her treatment were also present.
Begum Khaleda Zia had been suffering from multiple health complications for a long time, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney disorders. She was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 after experiencing respiratory distress. A medical board comprising both local and foreign specialists had been supervising her treatment. Although arrangements were considered to take her abroad for advanced treatment, her physical condition did not permit travel.
Begum Khaleda Zia served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh three times, beginning in 1991. She holds the distinction of being the country’s first elected female Prime Minister and the second elected woman head of government in the Muslim world. In electoral politics, she maintained a rare record—never having lost a parliamentary election. She contested 23 seats in five national elections, winning each time.
Born on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur, she received her education at Dinajpur Government Girls’ High School and Surendranath College. In 1960, she married then military officer Ziaur Rahman. Following the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, she entered active politics during a period of deep crisis for the BNP and became the party’s Chairperson in 1984.
She played a pivotal role in leading the uncompromising movement against Ershad’s military dictatorship, emerging as a central figure in Bangladesh’s democratic struggle. Her leadership was instrumental in the restoration of parliamentary democracy following the 1991 general election. Despite years of political adversity, arrests, imprisonment, and legal battles, she remained steadfast in her political stance.
In Bangladesh’s political history, Begum Khaleda Zia will be remembered as a symbol of resilience, resolve, and uncompromising leadership. Political analysts believe that her passing marks the end of a significant chapter in the nation’s political journey.