Khaleda Zia, 80, Bangladesh's First Female PM, Dies After Years of Ill Health and Rivalry with Sheikh Hasina
The first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, has passed away at the age of 80, after years of being in and out of prison due to corruption charges brought against her by her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina. Zia's death marks the end of a tumultuous tenure marked by fierce rivalry with Hasina, who she had been locked in a bitter struggle for decades.
Zia rose to power in 1991 and served as Prime Minister until 1996 before being ousted by Hasina. The two leaders then alternated in office over the years, with Zia's regime marred by allegations of corruption and Zia herself facing multiple cases under Hasina's government. In 2018, she was found guilty of corruption charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Despite her health issues and imprisonment, Zia remained defiant until the end, vowing to campaign for elections set for February 2026, just days before her death. Her condition had deteriorated significantly, prompting a medical evacuation request from Bangladesh's government that was rejected at least 18 times.
Zia's legacy is complex and divisive, with many viewing her as a symbol of democracy and resistance against the military dictatorship. Her son Tarique Rahman, who has lived in exile for years, returned to contest the upcoming elections, which are now expected to be won by his party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus released a statement calling Zia a "symbol of the democratic movement" after her death was announced. She is expected to be buried on Wednesday in Dhaka alongside her husband and former President Ziaur Rahman, who died in 1981 in a military coup that paved the way for Zia's rise to power.
Zia's death comes at a time when Bangladesh is still reeling from the aftermath of a mass uprising that led to Hasina's fall from power. The country is now bracing itself for elections that are expected to be marked by intense rivalry between the BNP and Hasina's party, the Awami League.
The first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, has passed away at the age of 80, after years of being in and out of prison due to corruption charges brought against her by her arch-rival, Sheikh Hasina. Zia's death marks the end of a tumultuous tenure marked by fierce rivalry with Hasina, who she had been locked in a bitter struggle for decades.
Zia rose to power in 1991 and served as Prime Minister until 1996 before being ousted by Hasina. The two leaders then alternated in office over the years, with Zia's regime marred by allegations of corruption and Zia herself facing multiple cases under Hasina's government. In 2018, she was found guilty of corruption charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Despite her health issues and imprisonment, Zia remained defiant until the end, vowing to campaign for elections set for February 2026, just days before her death. Her condition had deteriorated significantly, prompting a medical evacuation request from Bangladesh's government that was rejected at least 18 times.
Zia's legacy is complex and divisive, with many viewing her as a symbol of democracy and resistance against the military dictatorship. Her son Tarique Rahman, who has lived in exile for years, returned to contest the upcoming elections, which are now expected to be won by his party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus released a statement calling Zia a "symbol of the democratic movement" after her death was announced. She is expected to be buried on Wednesday in Dhaka alongside her husband and former President Ziaur Rahman, who died in 1981 in a military coup that paved the way for Zia's rise to power.
Zia's death comes at a time when Bangladesh is still reeling from the aftermath of a mass uprising that led to Hasina's fall from power. The country is now bracing itself for elections that are expected to be marked by intense rivalry between the BNP and Hasina's party, the Awami League.
Khaleda Zia's passing away is like losing a part of our history. I can only imagine how tough it must have been for her family and friends to see her go through so much pain and struggle in her last years. 10 long years in prison couldn't break her spirit, but it's heartbreaking to think about the price she paid for being a strong leader 
. I'm also thinking about Tarique Rahman and his journey... it's not easy coming back from exile 
. Can we only hope that Bangladesh can find peace and unity during these tough times? 
. I think her legacy is still debated among many people - some remember her as a symbol of democracy and resistance against military rule, while others view her as corrupt and out of touch with the common folk 
. Her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina was always intense, but it's hard to say who was really right or wrong in all those years 
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. One thing for sure, though: Khaleda Zia may be out of office, but she'll always have a place in Bangladeshi history 
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. It's like she was trying to outlast everyone else in Bangladesh instead of just enjoying her life 
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. Guess we'll never know the full story now 
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Khaleda Zia's passing marks the end of an era for Bangladesh, but it's also a reminder of the complexities surrounding her legacy 
. As a country still grappling with the aftermath of a mass uprising, it's essential to acknowledge both the positive and negative aspects of her tenure 
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. It's crucial to acknowledge these imperfections while still recognizing her contributions to democracy and women's empowerment 
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. The outcome of these elections will be shaped by the complex emotions surrounding her passing – let's make sure we use this as an opportunity for constructive dialogue 
Khaleda Zia's death is sad news... she was a complex figure in Bangladeshi politics. I think her legacy will be debated for a while, but one thing's for sure - it's a reminder of the country's tumultuous past. I'm also curious to see how Tarique Rahman's return to politics will play out, especially with elections coming up soon 
. Now it's up to the Bangladeshi people to decide which path they want to take forward... fingers crossed for a peaceful and democratic process 
.
. anyway, RIP Khaleda Zia may she rest in peace 
anyway, i feel bad for tarique rahman, he'll have to live with his mom's legacy now. it's gonna be interesting to see how things play out in bangladesh, elections are always crazy 
especially in Bangladesh where women's empowerment is still a work in progress 
it's wild that she kept vowing to campaign until the end, even when her health was failing... I kinda admire that about her 
anyway, I'm gonna be keeping an eye on those upcoming elections - fingers crossed for peaceful & free ones 
. Even when she was behind bars for corruption charges, Zia remained defiant till the end 
. I guess time will tell if his party can bring positive change or just more of the same 
.