Bangladesh Mourns First Female Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia
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Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, has died at the age of 80. Her passing marks the end of an era in the nation’s often turbulent political landscape. Zia served as prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006.
Born in Sylhet district, British India (now Bangladesh), Zia’s political career began through her marriage to Ziaur Rahman, a military leader who became president after a coup in 1975. Following her husband’s assassination in 1981, she rose to prominence as the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Zia was a long-standing political rival of Sheikh Hasina, the current prime minister. Their decades-long rivalry shaped Bangladeshi politics, often characterized by periods of intense competition and political instability. The two women represented distinct ideological paths for the country.
In recent years, Zia’s health deteriorated, and she was treated for various ailments. She was incarcerated in 2018 on corruption charges, which she and her party maintained were politically motivated. She was later released under a suspended sentence, remaining under house arrest.
News reports indicate she will be buried beside her husband. Her death leaves a significant void in Bangladeshi politics and prompts reflection on her complex legacy. Her birthplace in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India, is also observing mourning.
