Khaleda Zia: From 'Shy Housewife' to Bangladesh's First Female Prime Minister

Tue Dec 30 2025 07:01:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, has passed away at 80. From her humble beginnings as a housewife to becoming a pivotal figure in Bangladeshi politics, her legacy reflects the complexities of leadership and resilience in a turbulent political landscape.

Khaleda Zia, who served two terms as Bangladesh's first female prime minister, passed away at 80 after a prolonged illness. Rising from a background as a 'shy housewife,' her political journey began after the assassination of her husband, Ziaur Rahman. Her leadership saw significant reforms in education and women's representation, but also faced adversity, including imprisonment on corruption charges. Zia's political influence remained strong until her last days, and she is survived by her son, Tarique Rahman, who is seen as a potential future leader.

Khaleda Zia, who has died at the age of 80, was Bangladesh's first female prime minister.

Her husband, Ziaur Rahman, a leading figure in the country's struggle for independence, was president in 1977. At the time, Ms Zia was described as a shy housewife devoted to their two sons.

But, following her husband's assassination in 1981, she rose to lead his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and served two terms as prime minister - first in the 1990s and then in the early 2000s.

In the brutal world of Bangladeshi politics, she was accused of corruption and spent years in prison - but the charges were dropped after a 2024 uprising that saw her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina, swept from power.

Begum Khaleda Zia was born in West Bengal in 1945, moving to what is now Bangladesh with her family after the partition of India. Married to Ziaur Rahman at 15, she entered politics following his assassination.

In 1991, Khaleda Zia and the BNP became the largest party in post-military elections, and she was sworn in as prime minister.

Zia's leadership was marked by significant reforms, including making primary education free and mandatory, and introducing a constitutional amendment to reserve seats for female MPs.

Until her later years, she remained an influential figure within Bangladeshi politics, though her career was riddled with accusations and charges of corruption. She was released from prison on health grounds in 2024, shortly before her death on December 30, 2025.

She is survived by her elder son Tarique Rahman, who is poised to carry on her political legacy amidst the complex landscape of Bangladeshi politics.