Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has passed away. She breathed her last at 6am on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80.
For years, Khaleda Zia had been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis and kidney problems. The news of her death was confirmed by her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
Family members and close relatives were at the hospital during her final moments, including her elder son and acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, their daughter Zaima Rahman, and other family members. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of Khaleda Zia’s medical board were also present.
Chief Adviser Expresses Deep Condolences
Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed profound grief over the death of the three-time former prime minister, calling it a great national loss.
In his condolence message, he said the country had lost “a guardian-like figure,” and noted that the government had recently recognised her as a person of special national importance, acknowledging her political journey, sacrifices and public appeal.
Professor Yunus said Khaleda Zia’s role in Bangladesh’s democratic movement, multi-party politics and people’s rights would be remembered with respect. Despite political rivalries, he praised her determination, leadership and resilience, describing her as a symbol of struggle during difficult political times.
He recalled that Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, led major democratic movements, particularly against authoritarian rule. After the assassination of her husband, former president and war hero Ziaur Rahman, she entered politics in 1982 and went on to play a pivotal role in ousting the long military regime of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
Highlighting her governance legacy, the chief adviser mentioned several of her initiatives, including free education and stipends for girls, which significantly boosted women’s education in Bangladesh. He noted that she never lost an election she contested and was elected multiple times from different constituencies.
Despite her political success, he said, she had also faced political persecution, including imprisonment and long legal battles.
Professor Yunus extended his condolences to Khaleda Zia’s family and BNP supporters, urging the nation to remain calm and pray for the departed leader.
Three-Day National Mourning Declared
The government has declared a three-day state mourning from Wednesday to Friday (December 31 to January 2). Wednesday has also been declared a public holiday.
The announcement came in a national address delivered by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at noon.
Funeral on Wednesday; Burial Beside Husband Ziaur Rahman
Khaleda Zia’s janaza will be held after Zuhr prayers on Wednesday at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad premises near Manik Mia Avenue. She will be laid to rest beside her husband, late president Ziaur Rahman, at Chandrima Udyan.
The announcement was made by Law Adviser Asif Nazrul following a special meeting of the Advisory Council. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the meeting to convey the family’s wishes regarding the funeral and burial.
He said the government would extend full cooperation to ensure dignified funeral arrangements. Condolence books will be opened at Bangladeshi embassies and high commissions worldwide.
Life, Journey and Political Legacy
Born as Khaleda Khanam Putul on August 15, 1945 in Jalpaiguri (then under British India), Khaleda Zia later moved to East Pakistan with her family after Partition. She married Ziaur Rahman in 1960.
After Zia’s assassination in 1981, she entered politics the following year and joined the BNP, eventually becoming its chairperson in 1984.
Khaleda Zia served as Prime Minister three times — in 1991, 1996 and 2001 — and remains the first woman to hold the position in Bangladesh. She also served twice as Leader of the Opposition. Across five general elections, she contested 23 constituencies and won all of them.
She was imprisoned during the 2007 caretaker government period and later faced numerous legal cases. However, after political changes in 2024, her sentence was officially pardoned.
Today, the nation bids farewell to one of its most influential and controversial political leaders — a figure who shaped, challenged and defined much of Bangladesh’s modern political history.