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Khaleda Zia, the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh, died on the morning of Tuesday, December 30.
She was 80 and was suffering from a prolonged illness.
"BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is no more," the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said in a statement.
Zia passed away at 6 am while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, as per the statement.
Zia's personal physician and BNP National Standing Committee member Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain confirmed her death, as per News18.
The party stated that several family members and senior BNP leaders along with doctors were present at the hospital when Zia passed away. Zia's son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman along with his wife were also present.
The schedule for Zia's janaza (funeral prayers) would be announced later, the party said.
Earlier this month, doctors had described Zia's condition as "extremely critical" and she had been ill over the last one year.
PM Modi, Bangladesh's Yunus and Hasina express condolences
After Zia's death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi leaders including former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and present interim government's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences.
Read more: Khaleda Zia dies at 80: A look at rise and political influence of Bangladesh’s first woman PM
"Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss," PM Modi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
"As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered. I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace," he added while sharing a photograph of them together.
Hasina, who has been living in India after her ouster from the country, also expressed condolences. "As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contributions to the nation were significant and will be remembered. Her passing represents a profound loss for Bangladesh’s political life and for the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party," Hasina said in a statement posted on her party Awami League Party's X handle.
Yunus said, "I am deeply saddened and grief-stricken by her death," adding that Zia was not merely the leader of a political party; she represented an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Her role in the struggle to establish democracy, a multi-party political culture, and the rights of the people in Bangladesh will be remembered forever.
Read more: Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile | Watch
She was 80 and was suffering from a prolonged illness.
"BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is no more," the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said in a statement.
Zia passed away at 6 am while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka, as per the statement.
Zia's personal physician and BNP National Standing Committee member Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain confirmed her death, as per News18.
The party stated that several family members and senior BNP leaders along with doctors were present at the hospital when Zia passed away. Zia's son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman along with his wife were also present.
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
The schedule for Zia's janaza (funeral prayers) would be announced later, the party said.
Earlier this month, doctors had described Zia's condition as "extremely critical" and she had been ill over the last one year.
PM Modi, Bangladesh's Yunus and Hasina express condolences
After Zia's death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi leaders including former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and present interim government's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed condolences.
Read more: Khaleda Zia dies at 80: A look at rise and political influence of Bangladesh’s first woman PM
"Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka. Our sincerest condolences to her family and all the people of Bangladesh. May the Almighty grant her family the fortitude to bear this tragic loss," PM Modi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
"As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, her important contributions towards the development of Bangladesh, as well as India-Bangladesh relations, will always be remembered. I recall my warm meeting with her in Dhaka in 2015. We hope that her vision and legacy will continue to guide our partnership. May her soul rest in peace," he added while sharing a photograph of them together.
Hasina, who has been living in India after her ouster from the country, also expressed condolences. "As the first woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and for her role in the struggle to establish democracy, her contributions to the nation were significant and will be remembered. Her passing represents a profound loss for Bangladesh’s political life and for the leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party," Hasina said in a statement posted on her party Awami League Party's X handle.
Yunus said, "I am deeply saddened and grief-stricken by her death," adding that Zia was not merely the leader of a political party; she represented an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh. Her role in the struggle to establish democracy, a multi-party political culture, and the rights of the people in Bangladesh will be remembered forever.
Read more: Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile | Watch
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