She served as the country's prime minister for multiple terms between 1991 and 2024. In 2024, she stepped down under pressure from protesters, including students, who accused her of corruption and misuse of power.
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| PHOTO: Khaleda Zia |
A statement from the leadership of her opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), mentioned that she died after a prolonged illness involving heart and liver disease.
Khaleda was Bangladesh's first female prime minister and only the second woman to lead a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country, following Benazir Bhutto.
Earlier this year, she traveled to the UK for medical treatment before returning to Bangladesh.
The statement noted that her doctors had diagnosed her with advanced liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and heart and chest problems.
She was known for her dedication during her time in office, even though she was recently sentenced to death in November on charges of violent suppression of protesters, particularly students.
Accusations were made that she used excessive force to control the protests that began in August 2024, which were linked to allegations of power abuse and corruption.
These events led to her removal from power and the formation of a transitional government under Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Khaleda will also be remembered as a reformer who made changes to the presidential and parliamentary systems.
During her leadership, she removed restrictions on foreign investment and made primary education compulsory and free.
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