Khaleda Zia death marks end of Bangladesh’s defining political era

Published: 30 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Khaleda Zia, the first woman to serve as Bangladesh’s prime minister and a towering political figure, has died at the age of 80, marking the end of an era defined by intense rivalry, resilience, and enduring influence. Her death was confirmed early Tuesday morning by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which she led for decades and shaped into one of the country’s most powerful political forces. According to the party statement, Zia passed away at 6am, shortly after the Fajr prayer, surrounded by close family members and medical staff.

Tributes began pouring in almost immediately from across Bangladesh’s political spectrum and beyond, reflecting her complex legacy and lasting imprint on national life. Party leaders urged citizens to pray for her soul, while supporters gathered quietly at BNP offices, holding photographs and reciting prayers. For many Bangladeshis, her death symbolises the closing chapter of a political generation that dominated the country’s post-independence history.

Khaleda Zia’s rise to prominence was deeply intertwined with Bangladesh’s turbulent early decades following independence from Pakistan in 1971. The country emerged from a devastating war into a fragile political landscape marked by coups, assassinations, and ideological struggles. Zia’s husband, Ziaur Rahman, emerged as a central figure during this period, seizing power as army chief in 1977 before founding the Bangladesh Nationalist Party the following year. His assassination in a failed military coup in 1981 thrust Khaleda Zia into public life, a role she initially resisted but later embraced with determination.

Widowed and relatively inexperienced in formal politics, Zia gradually transformed herself into a formidable leader. Her uncompromising opposition to military rule helped galvanise mass protests against General HM Ershad’s dictatorship during the late 1980s. This movement culminated in Ershad’s ousting in 1990, paving the way for democratic elections and elevating Zia as a national leader. In 1991, she won the general election, becoming Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and one of the most prominent women leaders in the Muslim world.

Her initial term was marked by efforts to restore parliamentary democracy and stabilise a nation weary of authoritarian rule. Yet politics soon became fiercely polarised, largely centred on her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League and daughter of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Their bitter contest came to define Bangladeshi politics for more than three decades, shaping elections, protests, and governance in ways that deeply affected the country’s democratic institutions.

Zia’s tenure was not without controversy. The general election held in February 1996, which her party won overwhelmingly, was boycotted by major opposition groups, including Hasina’s Awami League. Critics argued the vote lacked legitimacy, leading to nationwide unrest. Under mounting pressure, Zia’s government resigned after just twelve days, allowing a neutral caretaker administration to oversee fresh elections later that year. This episode highlighted both the fragility of Bangladesh’s democratic processes and the intensity of partisan conflict.

After several years in opposition, Zia returned to power in 2001, leading a coalition government that included Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party. The alliance proved controversial, particularly given Jamaat’s historical role during the 1971 independence war. Supporters credited Zia’s administration with pursuing pro-investment economic policies and maintaining business confidence, while critics accused it of tolerating extremism and weakening secular values. Her government also faced strained relations with India, amid allegations that insurgent groups were allowed to operate from Bangladeshi territory.

Zia’s political fortunes declined sharply after Sheikh Hasina returned to power in 2009. Over the following years, Zia faced multiple corruption charges, resulting in lengthy prison sentences. She consistently denied wrongdoing, claiming the cases were politically motivated attempts to sideline her and weaken the opposition. The Hasina government insisted the judiciary acted independently, though domestic and international critics questioned the fairness of the process and expressed concern over democratic backsliding.

Years of imprisonment took a heavy toll on Zia’s health. She suffered from a range of chronic illnesses and was frequently hospitalised under guard. Despite her declining condition, she remained a potent symbol of resistance for BNP supporters. In January 2025, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court acquitted her in the final remaining corruption case, effectively clearing the legal obstacles that had barred her from contesting elections. The ruling was widely seen as a turning point, raising expectations of her return to frontline politics.

In May 2025, Zia returned to Bangladesh after receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom, following special permission from the interim government. Earlier administrations had denied similar requests repeatedly, making her departure and return politically significant. Though visibly frail, she addressed supporters through written messages and statements, vowing to continue her struggle for democracy and fair elections. In November, she pledged to campaign ahead of the February 2026 polls, the first since Sheikh Hasina was ousted by a mass uprising the previous year.

Her determination inspired many, but her health deteriorated rapidly in late November, forcing her admission to hospital. Doctors battled multiple complications, yet her condition continued to decline. During her final days, interim leader Muhammad Yunus urged citizens to pray for her recovery, describing her as a profound source of inspiration for the nation. His remarks underscored Zia’s enduring stature, even among political rivals.

Khaleda Zia’s legacy remains deeply contested. Admirers remember her as a symbol of resilience who challenged military rule and upheld multiparty democracy during critical moments. Critics argue her governments failed to curb corruption and exacerbated political divisions. Yet even detractors acknowledge her central role in shaping modern Bangladesh. Alongside Sheikh Hasina, she dominated the country’s political narrative, their rivalry reflecting broader struggles over power, ideology, and national identity.

As Bangladesh mourns her passing, attention now turns to the future of the BNP and the country’s political landscape. Zia’s death leaves a significant vacuum within the opposition, raising questions about leadership succession and electoral prospects. For many citizens, however, this moment is less about political calculation and more about reflection on a life that mirrored the hopes, conflicts, and contradictions of a young nation finding its way.

Khaleda Zia’s journey from reluctant political widow to prime minister, prisoner, and enduring icon captures the drama of Bangladesh’s modern history. Her death closes a remarkable chapter, but the debates she shaped and the institutions she influenced will continue to resonate for years to come.