First female PM of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia
First female PM of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia Passes Away at 80

First female PM of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia Passes Away at 80

Agartala/Dhaka, Dec 30: The first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia died early Tuesday (Dec 30) morning following a prolonged battle with illness. She was 80 years old, the BNP confirmed.

Death Confirmed by BNP

According to an official statement issued by the party, Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6 am at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

She had been undergoing treatment at hospital for more than a month. The statement noted that she breathed her last shortly after the Fajr (dawn) prayer.

 

Global leaders Mourn a Political Stalwart

The news of her death sent waves of grief across Bangladesh with party leaders, supporters, and political allies expressing deep sorrow.

Condolence messages and tributes continued to flow from global leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others have extended condolences.

PM Modi wrote:

Bangladesh Awami League wrote

Pak PM wrote:

Family and Survivors

Khaleda Zia is survived by her elder son, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Zaima Rahman.

Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after spending 17 years in exile. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, had passed away earlier in Malaysia.

Prolonged Hospitalisation and Health Struggles

Khaleda Zia was admitted to the private hospital on November 23 after her health worsened due to serious complications related to her heart and lungs. Media reports said she was also suffering from pneumonia during her final weeks.

She remained under round-the-clock medical supervision for nearly 36 days, with doctors frequently describing her condition as fragile.

Over the years, the former prime minister battled multiple long-term health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and chronic ailments affecting her kidneys, lungs, heart, and eyesight.

Her treatment was supervised by a multidisciplinary medical team comprising specialists from Bangladesh and overseas, including doctors from the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Australia.

Earlier this month, discussions were held about transferring Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical care. However, the proposal was eventually dropped after doctors advised that her weakened physical condition made international travel too risky.

Political Legacy and Leadership

Recognised as Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, Khaleda Zia served two terms in office.

Widow of former President Ziaur Rahman, she remained a central figure in national politics despite years of legal challenges and declining health.

First female PM of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia
First female PM of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia Passes Away at 80

Many of her supporters believed she could still have played a significant role in future electoral politics.

Tributes Continue to Pour In

Condolence messages and tributes continued to flow from party leaders, political allies, and supporters, as Bangladesh bids farewell to one of its most influential leaders, marking the end of an era in the country’s turbulent political history. (With inputs from IANS)