Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia Dies at 80 After Long Illness

• Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh PM and BNP Chairperson, passed away at 80 on December 30, 2025, at Evercare Hospital, Dhaka.
• She suffered from multiple long-term illnesses, including heart problems, diabetes, and lung issues.
• Zia served as Bangladesh's Prime Minister twice (1991-1996, 2001-2006), becoming the first female PM of Bangladesh and second in the Muslim world.
• She entered politics after her husband Ziaur Rahman's assassination and faced corruption charges, leading to a jail sentence in 2018.
• Family members, including son Tarique Rahman, and BNP leaders were present at her demise.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh mourns the passing of former PM Khaleda Zia, a two-time leader, at age 80.