Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister and BNP chief Khaleda Zia, aged 80, passed away early Tuesday morning, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed. She had been battling age-related health issues alongside cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and heart complications. Due to her deteriorating condition, her family admitted her to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on November 23, where a team of medical specialists from Bangladesh, the UK, the US, China, and Australia provided treatment. Despite 36 days of intensive care, her health worsened, leading to her death.
Her passing has elicited condolences from political leaders, celebrities, and sports figures. Recently, her son Tarique Rahman returned from the UK after 15 years to be with her. With Bangladesh slated to hold parliamentary elections in February 2026, her death is being seen as a significant political loss for the BNP.
Khaleda Zia’s demise is expected to have a major impact on the nation’s political landscape. Following the 2024 political turmoil after Sheikh Hasina’s government faced challenges, a caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus had been formed. Analysts had predicted that the BNP could perform strongly in the upcoming elections, making her death a critical development in Bangladesh’s political scenario.