Bangladesh Mourns as First Female PM Khaleda Zia Dies at 80

• Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, passed away at 80 after a prolonged serious illness.
• She was receiving treatment for multiple health complications at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
• Her son, Tarique Rahman, recently returned to Bangladesh after 17 years, seen as a potential prime ministerial candidate.
• Zia served as Prime Minister twice (1991, 2001-2006) and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since 1984.
• Her death marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics, sparking grief nationwide ahead of upcoming elections.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's political landscape shifts with the passing of former PM Khaleda Zia, ending an era.