Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, Khaleda Zia, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 after battling prolonged illness, her party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), confirmed.

According to reports, her doctors said she was suffering from advanced cirrhosis of the liver, along with arthritis, diabetes, and serious chest and heart-related problems.

"Khaleda Zia passed away at around 6:00am, just after Fajr prayer," the BNP said in a Facebook post. It added, “We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul.”

The BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayer. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un. We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul. pic.twitter.com/KY2948UPD5

— Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (@bdbnp78) December 30, 2025

Funeral likely in Dhaka

Her funeral is expected to take place on Wednesday at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed shared this information, as quoted by Prothom Alo.

Party leaders and supporters are expected to gather in large numbers to pay their final respects.

Long battle with illness and legal cases

Khaleda Zia had been unwell for many years and remained under medical care for a long period.

At the same time, she faced several legal challenges. In 2018, a court convicted her in a 2008 corruption case involving the misuse of funds meant for orphans.

Later, political changes led to her release from house arrest. The Awami League government, under Sheikh Hasina, suspended her prison sentence in 2020 on health grounds. However, the order barred her from travelling abroad or taking part in politics.

In January this year, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court overturned her earlier conviction and acquitted her, cancelling the 10-year jail sentence.

The BNP consistently claimed that the cases against her were politically motivated. The party alleged that Sheikh Hasina’s government targeted Zia for political reasons.

Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister

Khaleda Zia served as Bangladesh’s prime minister twice — first from 1991 to 1996 and then from 2001 to 2006.

She was the country’s first woman to hold the top office. She was married to Ziaur Rahman, a former army chief and president of Bangladesh.

Khaleda Zia came to power through a popular vote in the 1991 national election. During her rule, she restored the parliamentary system of government. She also introduced the caretaker government system to ensure free and fair elections, The Daily Star reported.

Arrest, return to politics, and later years

In 2007, an army-backed caretaker government took control of Bangladesh. During this period, Khaleda Zia was jailed along with several senior political leaders, including Sheikh Hasina.

She was later released and contested the 2008 parliamentary elections. However, her party failed to win.

Khaleda Zia is survived by her elder son Tarique Rahman, his wife, and their daughter. Tarique returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after spending 17 years in exile.