**Dhaka, Bangladesh** – Khaleda Zia, a towering figure in Bangladeshi politics and the nation's first female Prime Minister, has passed away at the age of 80. Her death, confirmed by her party early Tuesday morning, brings a somber close to a career that spanned decades, marked by both significant achievements and profound political turbulence. Zia succumbed to a prolonged illness, having been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka where her condition had been described as "extremely critical" and she was placed on life support.
Zia’s ascent to the pinnacle of national leadership was inextricably linked to tragedy. Her political journey commenced in the wake of the 1981 assassination of her husband, then-President Ziaur Rahman. Emerging from the shadows of personal loss, she galvanized support and steered the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), ultimately leading it to victory in the 1991 general elections. This pivotal win not only installed her as Prime Minister but also heralded a new era, restoring parliamentary democracy to a nation that had experienced military rule in the preceding years, notably under General Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
Her initial tenure as premier was characterised by a commitment to advancing women's education and broader social development initiatives, laying groundwork for progress in these crucial sectors. However, Zia’s political life was also defined by an intense and enduring rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, the current ousted leader. This decades-long antagonism between the two formidable women shaped the contours of Bangladeshi politics, often leading to periods of heightened tension and political gridlock. Throughout her career, Zia experienced periods of confinement, including imprisonment and house arrest, underscoring the often-volatile nature of the country's political landscape. She was notably acquitted of corruption charges following Sheikh Hasina’s loss of power in a controversial election held late last year.
The news of her passing, announced via Facebook by the BNP, has sent ripples of grief through the country, with crowds reportedly gathering outside the hospital. Physicians had indicated on Monday that multiple treatment avenues were constrained by her advanced age and fragile health, a sombre prelude to the inevitable.
Khaleda Zia’s departure signifies the end of a significant chapter in Bangladesh's political history. Her leadership played a crucial role in the country’s democratic resurgence, and her legacy is deeply interwoven with the nation's struggle for stability and progress. Her death precedes the country's planned parliamentary elections, scheduled for February, adding a layer of poignancy to the impending electoral contest and leaving a void in the opposition leadership at a critical juncture.