Begum Khaleda Zia
Md. Joynal Abdin
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
Executive Director, Online Training Academy (OTA)
Secretary General, Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
Begum Khaleda Zia (born Khaleda Khanam “Putul”) was a towering figure in Bangladesh’s politics and the nation’s first female prime minister[1][2]. She led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from 1984 to 2018 and twice headed the government (1991–96 and 2001–06)[1]. Known for her uncompromising stance, she and Sheikh Hasina were often called the country’s “battling Begums” as they dominated politics for decades[3]. Khaleda Zia died on 30 December 2025 in Dhaka at age 79 after a prolonged illness[2][1], marking the end of a dramatic political era.
Childhood
Begum Khaleda Zia was born on 15 August 1946 in Jalpaiguri (then Bengal Province, British India) to a Bengali Muslim family[4][5]. (Some sources note 1945 as her birth year[1].) She was the third of five children of Iskandar Ali Majumder, a tea businessman, and Taiyaba Majumder[4]. After the 1947 Partition of India, the family moved to Dinajpur in East Bengal (now Bangladesh)[6]. Young Khaleda attended the Dinajpur Missionary School and later Dinajpur Government Girls’ High School[7]. She passed her matriculation exams in 1960 and briefly studied at Surendranath College in Dinajpur[8][9]. However, Khaleda later described herself as “self-educated” and there is no record of her completing a formal degree[7]. In August 1960, she married Army Captain Ziaur Rahman; from that time she became known as Begum Khaleda Zia[10][8].
Academic Life
Khaleda Zia’s formal education ended shortly after high school. According to Britannica, she passed the government matriculation exam in 1960 and then attended Dinajpur’s Surendranath College[8]. No records show that she completed higher education[7], and Khaleda later embraced the label “self-educated”[7]. Nevertheless, her schooling gave her a strong foundation; friends noted she excelled in languages and dance during her youth[11]. After marrying Ziaur Rahman, she lived in what was then West Pakistan (1965–69) while her husband served in the army, further interrupting her studies[9].
Professional Life
Begum Khaleda Zia did not pursue a separate professional career outside of her public roles. As First Lady of Bangladesh (1977–81), she was involved in charitable activities and welfare, but she is primarily remembered as a political leader[1]. Following Ziaur Rahman’s assassination in 1981, Khaleda Zia devoted herself entirely to politics. She formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in January 1982[12] and steadily rose through its ranks. From 1983 onward she held senior party posts, ultimately serving as party chairperson from 1984 until 2018[13][14]. Her “professional” identity was thus political: she led the BNP for over 40 years and became Bangladesh’s first woman Prime Minister, breaking gender barriers in the Muslim world[1][15].
Political Life
Khaleda Zia’s entry into politics came in early 1982, when leaders of the BNP urged her to save the party after her husband’s death[12][13]. She began as a party member on 2 January 1982[12]. By March 1983 she was Senior Vice-Chairman of the BNP, and on 10 May 1984 she was elected party Chairperson without opposition[13]. Under her leadership the BNP grew into a mass party. In the 1980s she became a national symbol of resistance to autocracy: despite repeated arrests and house arrests under military rule, she refused to compromise[13][16].
Khaleda Zia led the BNP to three tenures as Prime Minister. Following the 1991 elections (the first after Ershad’s fall), her party won a majority and she took office as Bangladesh’s prime minister on 20 March 1991[17]. She served that term until 1996, resigning amid a political crisis over electoral rules. She returned as PM again briefly in 1996 after a disputed election, and then for a full third term from 2001 to 2006. During her governments she pursued economic liberalization (privatization, market reforms) and promoted education, especially for girls[18]. Her terms were also marked by controversies: critics accused her of failing to control corruption in her party, and her alliance with Islamist parties strained secular-Muslim relations internally.
Her Role in Anti-Ershad Revolt
Khaleda Zia was a central leader of the 1980s pro-democracy movement against General Hussain Muhammad Ershad’s military dictatorship. In March 1983, under her leadership, the BNP formed a seven-party alliance (including Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League) to oppose Ershad[17]. She rallied massive public support for the “Ershad Hatao” (“Remove Ershad”) campaign. Notably, Khaleda led the BNP’s boycott of the 1986 parliamentary election, insisting that democracy could not be legitimated without free elections[17][16]. This stance – honoring her pledge to not participate – earned her a reputation as the “uncompromising leader.” From 1987 onward she organized one-point campaigns (slogan: “Ershad must go”) to keep the pressure on the regime[16]. After years of civil unrest and strikes, Ershad ultimately resigned in December 1990. New elections were held on 27 February 1991, in which Khaleda Zia’s BNP won a plurality (five seats she contested, won all five)[17]. This victory paved her way to the premiership and to the restoration of parliamentary democracy.
Her Role in Anti-Indian Policy
Khaleda Zia’s foreign policy stance was often characterized as more nationalist and cautious toward India. Observers note that India-Bangladesh relations during her tenures were “complex” and frequently strained. During her 2001–2006 government, India accused Bangladesh of allowing insurgent groups from India’s Northeast to operate from Bangladeshi soil[19][20]. Prominent Indian diplomats have said her governments were accused of “sheltering” these insurgents and resisting Indian regional initiatives[21][20]. For example, Khaleda Zia consistently opposed granting India transit rights through Bangladesh to its northeast states and delayed finalizing the Teesta river water-sharing treaty[20]. Her tendency to align with more conservative or Islamist Bangladeshi parties (e.g. Jamaat-e-Islami) also contributed to cool ties; by some accounts, India raised serious concerns about “anti-India elements” during her second term[20]. In contrast, her rival Sheikh Hasina tended to pursue warmer relations with India, making the two leaders’ approaches part of a broader political divide in Dhaka.
Her Popular Messages
Begum Khaleda Zia was known for stirring, direct slogans in her mass rallies. Chief among these was the anti-Ershad slogan “Ershad must go,” which she championed in the 1987 movement[16]. Her vow to boycott the 1986 elections as promised (even at the cost of short-term political power) cemented her public image as the “uncompromising leader”[16]. In later years she delivered memorable lines in confrontational politics. For example, after boycotting the 2014 elections she quipped to supporters that “we don’t have to do anything to [the ruling party]; they will rot on their own”[22] – a quote that became widely circulated. (Her speeches often denounced authoritarianism and emphasized standing by “the people” under all circumstances[23][16].) While such slogans resonated with her base, critics saw them as divisive. In any case, slogans like “Ershad should go” and her steadfast refrains helped mobilize the opposition during key struggles for democracy[16].
Khaleda Zia in Jail during Hasina Regime
After 2009, when Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League returned to power, Khaleda Zia faced repeated legal challenges. In 2017–2018 she was convicted in two high-profile graft cases (the Zia Charitable Trust and Zia Orphanage Trust cases) involving embezzlement of NGO funds. In 2018 alone she received combined prison sentences totalling 17 years[24][25]. The convictions were widely seen as politically motivated by her supporters; international observers noted that the charges came from a government keen to weaken the opposition[24][25]. As a result, Khaleda Zia spent time in Dhaka Central Jail (including isolation in the abandoned Dhaka Cantonment Jail in 2007 and later in old Dhaka’s Kazi Alauddin Road jail in 2018)[26][24]. During this period she was largely cut off from politics, and her health deteriorated. Even Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Hasina was criticized by some for imprisoning a leading opposition figure[24].
Her Release from Jail
By late 2020, citing Khaleda Zia’s deteriorating health, the Hasina government suspended her prison sentences on humanitarian grounds. In October 2020 she was granted bail on medical grounds and released to house arrest[27][28]. Family members report that between 2018 and 2024 they petitioned repeatedly to allow her to travel abroad for treatment; these requests were repeatedly denied during the Hasina administration[27]. Thus Khaleda remained in Bangladesh under the condition that she abstain from political activity. In August 2024, a major political upheaval ousted Sheikh Hasina’s government. An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took power, and one of its first acts was to free Khaleda Zia. On 11 August 2024 her remaining sentences were voided and she was fully released from custody[28]. She was then allowed to leave the country for medical treatment; in January 2025 she flew to London for specialized care[29][30], and returned to Bangladesh in May 2025 once her condition stabilized[30].
Her Sickness & Treatment
Khaleda Zia’s final years were marked by chronic illness. By 2015 she had suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with coronary artery disease[31]. Later reports revealed she suffered from advanced liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and other ailments[32]. In November 2025 she was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka with a serious lung infection. Doctors announced that she had multiple failing organs (liver, heart, kidneys) and that her health was critical[32]. Prior to this, in early January 2025 she had spent three months in London under doctors’ care for liver and heart conditions[29]. Throughout late 2024 and 2025 her family and party repeatedly sought permission from the government for her to seek further treatment abroad; these were declined until the interim government relented after August 2024[33]. Despite aggressive treatment, Khaleda Zia’s condition kept worsening into late 2025.
Her Death
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on 30 December 2025 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 79 years old. Her party announced that she “succumbed to a prolonged illness”[2]. This news was confirmed by multiple outlets; the BBC’s Bangladesh service and AP both reported her death early that morning. (Incidentally, Britannica also records her death on this date[1].) The government declared a three-day national mourning period. Tributes poured in from both allies and rivals, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, who noted Zia’s “important contributions toward the development of Bangladesh” and to India-Bangladesh relations[34].
Her Namaz-e-Janaza
Khaleda Zia’s funeral (janazah) rites took place on 31 December 2025 in Dhaka. The funeral prayer was held in front of the national parliament (South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban)[35], drawing millions of mourners including BNP supporters, party leaders, and members of Zia’s family. Also present were dignitaries from South Asia: for example, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the ceremony[36][35]. President Muhammad Yunus (acting chief adviser) led the public mourning, and the government provided full state honors. Afterwards Khaleda Zia was buried beside her husband, the late President Ziaur Rahman, at the Zia Mausoleum (Zia Udyan) in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar[37][35]. In a televised address, Yunus declared a one-day national holiday and a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect.
Learning from Her Life
Khaleda Zia’s life story offers several lessons. She proved that women could lead even in a conservative society: as one tribute observed, in the 1990s “women’s leadership at the highest level of the nation was not only possible, but transformative”[38]. Her persistence in the face of military rule and her willingness to sacrifice power (for example by refusing to compromise in elections) underscored a fierce commitment to democracy. Indeed, former analysts say her rise “symbolised Bangladesh’s resilience in reclaiming democracy after military rule”[39]. Khaleda herself often said she had no desire for power except to “work for the people”[40], and she remained in Bangladesh through hardships out of loyalty to her nation. Even after personal tragedies losing her husband in 1981 and later facing long separations from her sons she chose to stay and fight on behalf of her party[41]. Her story illustrates the high personal cost of political struggle, the importance of steadfast principles, and the potential for female leaders to change a nation’s course. On closing, both supporters and critics agree she leaves a lasting legacy: the barriers she broke and the democratic movements she led will be remembered in Bangladesh’s history.
Closing Remarks
Begum Khaleda Zia was a pioneering figure in Bangladesh. She broke the glass ceiling as the first woman prime minister, championed democracy during long periods of authoritarian rule, and led the BNP through triumphs and tribulations. Her decades in the public eye were marked by remarkable highs (three terms as prime minister, economic reforms) and deep controversies (political violence, corruption trials). Ultimately, she remained a symbol to many Bangladeshi of unwavering resolve. As the South Asian region bids farewell to one of its most prominent female leaders, Khaleda Zia’s life story stands as a testament to political conviction and the complex interplay of gender, power, and democracy[1][41].
Sources: Contemporary news reports and biographical references were used to compile this account[1][2][15][24][29][28][37][35][20][16]. Each fact and quotation is cited to the respective source.
[1] [14] [18] [25] Khaleda Zia | Biography, Bangladesh, Husband, Death, & Facts | Britannica
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Khaleda-Zia
[2] [3] [32] Bangladesh mourns former leader Khaleda Zia, who died aged 79 | Politics News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/30/bangladeshs-former-prime-minister-khaleda-zia-dies
[4] [6] [7] [9] [10] [12] [31] Khaleda Zia – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaleda_Zia
[5] [8] [11] [16] [26] Farewell Khaleda Zia: All efforts failed, former prime minister passes away | Prothom Alo
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/f80kv7anwq
[13] [17] খালেদা জিয়া – উইকিপিডিয়া
[15] [38] [41] Khaleda Zia was a pioneer of women’s empowerment in Bangladesh | Khaleda Zias Departure
https://www.bssnews.net/khaleda-zias-departure/346199
[19] [24] [27] [30] [33] [34] Khaleda Zia, former Bangladeshi prime minister and archrival of a previous premier, dies at 80 – ABC News
[20] [21] [39] India- Bangladesh ties under Khaleda Zia’s tenures were ‘complex’, ‘often strained’: Former Indian diplomats – The Tribune
[22] [23] Khaleda Zia Legacy | The leader who stood her ground | Khaleda Zia Uncompromising Leader | The Daily Star
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/the-leader-who-stood-her-ground-4069156
[28] [29] Bangladesh top court acquits ex-PM Khaleda Zia in corruption case | Corruption News | Al Jazeera
[35] Khaleda Zia’s funeral: Khalida Zia laid to eternal rest – The Times of India
[36] [37] Highlights: Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia Laid To Rest Next To Husband In Dhaka
[40] Khaleda Zia – Wikiquote