Begum Khaleda Zia, the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has died at the age of 80 after a long illness, officials confirmed on Tuesday.Zia, who was chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a key figure in the country’s political history, had been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
Zia led Bangladesh through several turbulent political periods and was known for her strong leadership and influence in national politics. Her health had been a matter of serious concern for weeks, with reports in recent days stating she was in extremely critical condition and on life support.
Her death marks the end of a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with tributes pouring in from across the country and leaders recalling her role in shaping modern Bangladeshi politics.