How did Khaleda Zia die? Did undetected COVID-19 take ultimate toll?
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP leader Khaleda Zia passed away in Dhaka at the age of 80 after struggling with many diseases for years. He breathed his last with his family in the intensive care unit of Evercare Hospital.
Khaleda Zia, Former Prime Minister, Bangladesh. (File Image)
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who had been dealing with various illnesses for years, passed away in Dhaka at the age of 80. Surrounded by family members, Zia breathed his last in the Intensive Care Unit of Evercare Hospital in the capital. He had been receiving treatment there for many diseases since November 23, 2025. He was hospitalized with a chest infection that affected his heart and lungs. Four days later, he was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) after many of his health problems worsened. Khaleda Zia was placed on an optional ventilator to rest her lungs and other vital organs. Doctors said he also suffered from infective endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart valve.
(Khaleda Zia with Indian Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani.)
Khaleda Zia’s death
The three-time prime minister of Bangladesh was suffering from chronic kidney ailments, decompensated liver diseases, unstable hemoglobin, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and other age-related complications since 2021. Several people working in his household tested positive for COVID-19 in April 2021, but he did not show any symptoms of the outbreak. However, doctors later realized that he was infected with the virus but did not develop symptoms, making him more vulnerable. Khaleda Zia was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021 and a medical board was established for treatment.
Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Khaleda Zia
Khaleda Zia was detained after being found guilty of corruption and other cases, and the court rejected her appeal to be allowed to leave the country and go abroad for treatment. He was treated at Evercare Hospital from 27 April to 19 June, 12 October to 3 November and November 2021. He was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit on January 9, 2022. Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, who received long-term treatment in the hospital, was transferred to The London Clinic in England in January 2025. He was taken back to Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital on November 23 last year.
