Bangladesh's former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, a pivotal figure in South Asian politics, died on December 30, 2025, following an extended illness. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which she led for decades, confirmed her passing occurred at 6:00 a.m. local time shortly after dawn prayers.
In an official statement, the BNP described Zia as "the national leader" who shaped Bangladesh's democratic trajectory through her three terms as prime minister. Her death marks the end of an era in a country where she alternated power with current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for nearly three decades.
Political analysts note Zia's legacy includes strengthening Bangladesh's export-oriented economy during her tenure and maintaining strategic partnerships with both Asian and Western nations. However, her later years were marked by legal challenges and health complications that kept her hospitalized since 2021.
The government has announced seven days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast. Memorial services are expected to draw international attention given Bangladesh's growing geopolitical significance in Asia's economic landscape.
