Khaleda Zia: From Child Bride to Iron Lady, A Life Defined by Power & Rivalry

• Khaleda Zia, former Bangladesh PM, passed away at 80; known as the "Iron Lady" and served two terms.
• Married Ziaur Rahman, a 25-year-old army officer, at age 15; widowed at 36 when he was assassinated.
• Led BNP, founded by her husband, and became a central figure in Bangladeshi politics.
• Her political career was marked by an intense, decades-long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, alternating power.
• Faced corruption charges, sentenced to 17 years, but acquitted in Jan 2025 after Hasina's 2024 resignation.

Why It Matters: Khaleda Zia's life was a saga of personal tragedy, political power, and enduring rivalry in Bangladesh.