Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Woman Prime Minister, Dies

Bangladesh’s political landscape has lost one of its most influential leaders with the passing of Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female Prime Minister. She died at the age of 80 following a prolonged illness, according to a statement issued by her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Her demise marks the end of an era defined by intense political rivalry, democratic transitions, and her enduring influence on Bangladeshi politics.

Political Career

Khaleda Zia served as Prime Minister twice,

• 1991-1996: Led Bangladesh after the restoration of parliamentary democracy
• 2001-2006: Returned to power following a BNP-led electoral victory

Her tenure saw significant political developments as well as deepening rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, shaping Bangladesh’s two-party political system for decades.

Health and Final Days

According to doctors, Khaleda Zia had been suffering from multiple age related ailments, including advanced liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and heart related complications. She was on life support and required regular kidney dialysis in her final days.

Her party confirmed that she passed away at 6:00 am, shortly after the Fajr prayers.

Khaleda Zia Journey

• Born on August 15, 1945, Khaleda Zia rose to prominence after the assassination of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, the former President of Bangladesh and founder of the BNP, in 1981.
• Entering politics thereafter, she emerged as a central figure during Bangladesh’s struggle to restore democracy following years of military rule.
• She went on to become the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh and the second female Prime Minister in the Muslim world, after Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan.

Legal Challenges and Later Years

• Following her exit from office in 2006, Bangladesh experienced political turmoil under a military-backed caretaker government.
• Khaleda Zia and members of her family faced corruption charges, and in 2018 she was sentenced to prison in two graft cases.
• She was later released on humanitarian grounds and placed under house arrest due to health concerns.
• In November 2024, she was acquitted in the corruption cases, closing a long and controversial legal chapter in her life.

Significance in Bangladesh’s Politics

• Khaleda Zia remained a symbol of opposition politics and democratic struggle in Bangladesh.
• Her leadership of the BNP, her role in restoring democracy in the 1990s, and her decades long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined national politics for more than 30 years.
• Her death comes at a crucial moment, as Bangladesh prepares for major political developments and elections.

Static Takeaways

• Country: Bangladesh
• First female Prime Minister: Khaleda Zia
• Political party: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
• Prime Ministerial terms: 1991–96, 2001–06
• Widow of: Ziaur Rahman
• Year of birth: 1945

Question

Q. Khaleda Zia was the first woman Prime Minister of which country?

A) Pakistan
B) Bangladesh
C) Sri Lanka
D) Indonesia