Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a central figure in the country’s modern political history, has died after a long illness. She was 80.
Her death comes just months before national elections scheduled for February, which would have been the first since a popular uprising in late 2024 ended the rule of her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina. Zia had planned to seek a third term as prime minister.
Zia rose to prominence following the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in a 1981 military coup. Initially a reserved public figure, she entered politics soon after his death and went on to lead the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In 1991, she made history by becoming the country’s first woman prime minister.
Doctors said on Monday that her condition had become “extremely critical.” She was placed on life support, but her age and multiple health complications limited treatment options. Zia had been hospitalized for about a month, receiving care for kidney failure, heart disease and pneumonia.
“Our beloved leader passed away at 6:00 this morning,” the BNP announced in a statement on Tuesday. Following the announcement, supporters gathered outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she had been receiving treatment.
Zia’s political career was marked by intense rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The two women dominated national politics for decades, alternating in power and presiding over a deeply polarized political landscape.
Her first term in office was credited with restoring parliamentary democracy through constitutional reform and advancing policies on women’s education and social development. However, later terms were more controversial. A brief second term in 1996 drew criticism over electoral legitimacy, while her final administration from 2001 to 2006 was dogged by corruption allegations.
Over the past 16 years, as the Awami League consolidated power, Zia became a symbol of opposition to what critics described as increasingly authoritarian rule. She boycotted the 2014 elections after the abolition of the caretaker government system and was later convicted on corruption charges, which she consistently described as politically motivated.
Zia was allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment only after Hasina was removed from power in early 2025. She was released from custody in January following mass protests that forced Hasina into exile in India.
Despite her declining health, the BNP announced in November that Zia would take part in campaigning ahead of the upcoming elections. The party is seeking a return to power, with expectations that her son, Tarique Rahman, could assume a leadership role. Rahman returned to Bangladesh last week after 17 years in exile in London.
Tributes poured in following her death. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus described Zia as a “symbol of the democratic movement” and praised her role in shaping multi-party politics in Bangladesh. Former rival Sheikh Hasina, speaking from exile, said Zia’s contributions to the nation would be remembered, calling her death a major loss to the country’s political life.
Leaders from the region also reacted. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply saddened and acknowledged Zia’s role in strengthening Bangladesh and its ties with India. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described her as a committed friend of Pakistan whose legacy would endure.
Zia died surrounded by family members, including her son, his wife and daughter, according to the BNP, which called on supporters to pray for her soul.
About the author
Norway Crown Princess’s Son Jailed for Rape
Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted on two counts of rape and several other criminal offences by the Oslo District Court. The 29-year-old was cleared of two additional rape charges but found guilty of multiple offences involving violence, abuse and reckless conduct. Høiby attended the verdict hearing via video link due to health-related reasons and was not physically present in the courtroom. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for a significantly shorter term of 18 months. His legal team has indicated that an appeal is likely. The case has attracted widespread attention in Norway because of Høiby's close connection to the royal family. Although he holds no royal title, he was raised alongside members of […]
Russian Strikes Damage Kyiv Cathedral, Kill 11
At least 11 people have lost their lives following a series of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including attacks that caused significant damage to Kyiv's historic Dormition Cathedral, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Four fatalities were reported in Kyiv after residential areas came under attack, while five emergency responders were killed in the northeastern city of Kharkiv while battling a blaze triggered by a strike. Ukrainian authorities said dozens of others were injured nationwide. The Dormition Cathedral, a landmark dating back to the 11th century and part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, suffered extensive damage during the overnight assault. Zelensky described the attack as a serious blow to Ukraine's religious and cultural heritage. Images from the site showed a large breach in one section of the cathedral, with parts of the roof destroyed by fire. The […]
US-Iran Deal May Ease Global Economic Pressure
More than three months after the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran began, Washington and Tehran have reached a framework agreement aimed at reducing tensions and laying the groundwork for a longer-term resolution. A key component of the agreement is the planned reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. The waterway normally handles nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it critical to international energy markets. The disruption of traffic through the strait since late February triggered sharp increases in global energy prices and raised concerns about supply shortages. While the new agreement has been welcomed by markets, shipping activity in the region remains limited, highlighting the challenges involved in restoring normal operations. Industry experts caution that a full recovery will take time. Hundreds of vessels […]
Paul Kagame en visite de travail à Lomé
Le président du Rwanda, Paul Kagame, est en visite de travail au Togo ce lundi, dans le cadre de la Convention et exposition africaines du transport aérien organisée à Lomé du 15 au 19 juin 2026. Au cours de son séjour, le dirigeant rwandais doit rencontrer le président du Conseil, Faure Gnassingbé. Les échanges entre les deux responsables porteront sur plusieurs sujets d'intérêt commun, notamment le renforcement des relations bilatérales et les perspectives de coopération entre leurs pays. Cette rencontre intervient à l'occasion d'un événement majeur consacré au développement du transport aérien sur le continent africain. Elle offre également aux deux dirigeants l'opportunité de discuter des enjeux économiques et stratégiques qui concernent l'Afrique, ainsi que des initiatives visant à soutenir l'intégration et la croissance du continent. Reconnu pour son engagement en faveur du développement économique et de la transformation de […]
AFR100 : jusqu’à 50 000 $ pour les projets verts
Les organisations togolaises impliquées dans la restauration des terres dégradées et la préservation des ressources naturelles ont désormais accès à un nouveau mécanisme de financement dans le cadre du programme AFR100, soutenu par l'Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO). L'initiative, lancée à travers le dispositif des Subventions Directes aux Bénéficiaires (Direct Beneficiary Grants), vise à accompagner les acteurs locaux engagés dans la protection de l'environnement et la gestion durable des écosystèmes. L'appel à projets est ouvert aux organisations communautaires, coopératives, associations de producteurs agricoles et forestiers, organisations non gouvernementales ainsi qu'aux structures dirigées par des femmes ou des jeunes opérant dans les zones d'intervention du programme. Les bénéficiaires pourront obtenir un financement compris entre 5 000 et 50 000 dollars pour mettre en œuvre diverses initiatives environnementales. Les projets éligibles concernent notamment le reboisement, l'agroforesterie, la conservation […]
BTP au Togo : les entreprises alertent sur leurs défis
Les acteurs du secteur du bâtiment et des travaux publics (BTP) au Togo ont mis en lumière les principales difficultés qui freinent le développement des entreprises nationales lors des premiers « Media Days » organisés récemment à Lomé par le Groupement National des Entrepreneurs du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics du Togo (GNEBTP-Togo). Placée sous le thème « Le BTP au cœur du développement : comprendre pour mieux agir », cette rencontre a rassemblé entrepreneurs, ingénieurs, architectes, laboratoires techniques et représentants des médias. L'objectif était de mieux faire connaître les réalités d'un secteur stratégique qui joue un rôle essentiel dans la réalisation des infrastructures et dans les investissements publics du pays. Au cours des échanges, les professionnels ont souligné plusieurs obstacles majeurs, notamment la qualité insuffisante de certaines études techniques, les retards de paiement, les difficultés d'accès au financement bancaire, […]
Related
Trump: If you import from third-world countries, you become one
US President Donald Trump has said that any country that imports people from third-world countries will quickly become a third-world country itself, as he defended his administration’s tougher immigration stance. Trump originally wrote on Truth Social, “If you import The Third World, you become The Third World,” and later adjusted the wording to say, “Sadly, if you import people from Third World Countries, you quickly become a Third World Country — and there’s not a thing you can do about it”. He linked this argument to his broader push to tighten migration rules, including plans to “permanently pause” migration from what he calls third-world countries so the US system can “fully recover”. The president has also signalled intentions to remove migrants he considers not a “net asset” to the US and to end federal benefits and subsidies for noncitizens he […]
Trump says Russia should make a deal with Ukraine to end war
US President Donald Trump has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are both open to "do something" about the ongoing war in Ukraine, raising fresh questions about possible diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and advance negotiations. Trump's remarks come as international attention remains focused on prospects for a ceasefire, peace talks, and broader efforts to bring an end to the conflict. While no specific framework or proposal was outlined, the comments have sparked discussion among political observers and foreign policy experts about whether renewed diplomatic momentum could emerge. Trump told reporters that his attention is turning back to Russia and Ukraine after concluding a short-term deal with Iran, and he said the focus will now be on Russia's war in Ukraine. The President's comments suggest both leaders may be willing to pursue a peace agreement, […]
Norway Crown Princess’s Son Jailed for Rape
Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted on two counts of rape and several other criminal offences by the Oslo District Court. The 29-year-old was cleared of two additional rape charges but found guilty of multiple offences involving violence, abuse and reckless conduct. Høiby attended the verdict hearing via video link due to health-related reasons and was not physically present in the courtroom. Prosecutors had sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months, while the defense argued for a significantly shorter term of 18 months. His legal team has indicated that an appeal is likely. The case has attracted widespread attention in Norway because of Høiby's close connection to the royal family. Although he holds no royal title, he was raised alongside members of […]
Russian Strikes Damage Kyiv Cathedral, Kill 11
At least 11 people have lost their lives following a series of Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including attacks that caused significant damage to Kyiv's historic Dormition Cathedral, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Four fatalities were reported in Kyiv after residential areas came under attack, while five emergency responders were killed in the northeastern city of Kharkiv while battling a blaze triggered by a strike. Ukrainian authorities said dozens of others were injured nationwide. The Dormition Cathedral, a landmark dating back to the 11th century and part of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery complex, suffered extensive damage during the overnight assault. Zelensky described the attack as a serious blow to Ukraine's religious and cultural heritage. Images from the site showed a large breach in one section of the cathedral, with parts of the roof destroyed by fire. The […]
US-Iran Deal May Ease Global Economic Pressure
More than three months after the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran began, Washington and Tehran have reached a framework agreement aimed at reducing tensions and laying the groundwork for a longer-term resolution. A key component of the agreement is the planned reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. The waterway normally handles nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it critical to international energy markets. The disruption of traffic through the strait since late February triggered sharp increases in global energy prices and raised concerns about supply shortages. While the new agreement has been welcomed by markets, shipping activity in the region remains limited, highlighting the challenges involved in restoring normal operations. Industry experts caution that a full recovery will take time. Hundreds of vessels […]
Israel says it won’t withdraw troops from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that Israeli troops will remain indefinitely in "security zones" in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria, marking a major policy shift in the country's military approach to border security. Katz emphasized that unlike previous instances, the Israeli military is not retreating from areas that have been cleared and taken, stating that troops will remain in the security zones acting as a buffer between adversaries and Israeli communities "regardless of whether the situation in Gaza is temporary or permanent" – similar to the approach in Lebanon and Syria. The defense minister's announcement comes after Israel unilaterally expanded its frontiers in the war unleashed by Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack, and the military strengthens its control over various occupied regions. Israel says it must maintain control of what it refers to as security zones to […]