Who Was Khaleda Zia?
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Full name: Khaleda Zia ur-Rahman (née Khaleda Majumdar). Encyclopedia Britannica
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Born: August 15, 1945 (or 1946 in some reports), in Dinajpur, then part of British India (now Bangladesh). Encyclopedia Britannica+1
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Political party: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which her husband Ziaur Rahman founded. Encyclopedia Britannica
🚺 Historic Milestone: First Woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Khaleda Zia holds the distinction of being Bangladesh’s first woman to serve as Prime Minister. She first came to power after the 1991 general elections, which marked a return to parliamentary democracy following years of military rule. Wikipedia
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Prime Minister terms:
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1991–1996 — first term, after BNP’s election victory. Encyclopedia Britannica
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2001–2006 — second full term. Encyclopedia Britannica
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She was also briefly elected again in 1996 in a very short tenure before resigning amid political unrest. mint
🏛️ Political Leadership and Legacy
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Zia entered politics after the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. She took over leadership of the BNP in 1984 and became a central figure resisting military rule. Encyclopedia Britannica
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Her time in office included reinstating parliamentary governance, economic reforms, and social policies such as promoting girls’ education. www.ndtv.com
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Her political life was marked by a long and intense rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, shaping Bangladeshi politics for decades. The Times of India
📉 Challenges and Controversies
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In later years, Khaleda Zia faced corruption charges and imprisonment, which her supporters claimed were politically motivated. The Times of India
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She had health issues in her later life and was under medical care until her passing. www.ndtv.com
🕊️ Her Death (2025)
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Khaleda Zia died on December 30, 2025, at age 80 after prolonged illness. AP News
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Her passing prompted national mourning in Bangladesh and tributes from leaders across the region. AP News
📌 Why She Matters
Khaleda Zia’s election made her a pioneering woman leader in South Asia — not only the first female head of government in Bangladesh but also one of the earliest women to lead a democratic Muslim-majority country after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto