Bangladesh’s first woman PM Khaleda Zia passes away at 80

Dhaka: Begum Khaleda Zia, the two-time former prime minister who was poised for a political comeback in the upcoming elections, died Tuesday morning following a years-long struggle with failing health. She was 80.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced that its chairperson had passed away at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr (dawn) prayer.

"The BNP Chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 am (0000 GMT), just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer," the party said in an official statement. "We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul."

As recently as November, she had pledged to lead the BNP’s campaign for the general elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, the first national vote since the ouster of her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina, in a 2024 mass uprising.

The BNP is widely considered the frontrunner in the upcoming polls. However, Zia was hospitalised in late November as her health, already compromised by liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and diabetes, deteriorated significantly. During her final days at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, interim leader Muhammad Yunus described her as a "source of utmost inspiration for the nation" and urged the public to pray for her recovery.

Zia was first sentenced for corruption in 2018 under the Hasina administration, which also repeatedly denied her permission to seek specialised medical care abroad. She was finally freed last year in the wake of Hasina’s exit from power. Although plans were made earlier this month to transport her to London via a specialised air ambulance, doctors determined her condition was too unstable for the flight.

The veteran leader’s passing comes just days after the emotional homecoming of her son and political heir, Tarique Rahman. Rahman, who had lived in self-imposed exile in London for 17 years, arrived in Dhaka on Thursday to massive, celebratory crowds.

With his mother’s death, Rahman is set to lead the party into the February elections. If the BNP secures a majority, he is expected to be the party's candidate for prime minister.

With inputs from AFP