Khaleda Zia (1945–2025): The ‘Shy Housewife’ Who Rose To Become The Architect Of A Modern Nation | World News

Bangladesh’s political scenario has lost a giant. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Khaleda Zia died at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at 6:00 am today, December 30. The 80-year-old leader had been hospitalized since November 23, battling advanced liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes and cardiovascular complications. His funeral is planned to be held on Wednesday, December 31 at Manik Mia Street.

From ‘Shy Housewife’ to Political Icon

[BorninJalpaiguriin1945Khaleda’searlylifegavenohintthatshewouldbecomeapoliticallyardentleaderAttheageof15afterhermarriagetotheyoungofficerZiaurRahmanherhusbandbecamePresidentin1977Describedbyheraidesasa”modestandthoughtful”housewifeherlifetookaradicalturnfollowingthe1981militarymutinythatresultedintheassassinationofherhusband[1945’teJalpaiguri’dedoğanKhaleda’nınerkenyaşamıonunpolitikaçıdanateşlibirliderolacağınadairhiçbiripucuvermiyordu15yaşındagençsubayZiaurRahman’laevlendiktensonrakocası1977’deBaşkanoluncayakadarözelbirfigürolarakkaldıYardımcılarıtarafından”alçakgönüllüvedüşünceli”birevkadınıolaraktanımlananhayatıkocasınınsuikastıylasonuçlanan1981askeriisyanınınardındanradikalbirdönüşyaptı

Falling into the void created by his death, Khaleda joined the BNP in 1982. In 1984, he was elected party president and began a journey that would transform him into the so-called uncompromising leader of Bangladesh’s democracy.

“Uncompromised” Rise to Power

The reputation was built during the nine-year military dictatorship that began in 1982. But his refusal to submit to the orders of the military autocratic government resulted in a landslide victory in the 1991 elections.

This victory made history as she became the first woman to head Bangladesh and only the second woman to lead a Muslim-majority country. The first period of his reign was characterized by structural changes including:

Restoration of Democracy: Adoption of the 12th Amendment Reestablishing the Parliamentary Form of Government.

Social Reform: Legalizing primary education and creating the National Coast Guard.

Economic Change: Establishment of a free market economy in the new country.

Economic Summits and Corruption Allegations

During her third term (2001–2006), Khaleda oversaw a period of significant financial growth. By 2006, the country’s GDP had reached a post-independence highest level, leading the World Bank to label Bangladesh “Asia’s next tiger economy”.

But his legacy has been complicated by mounting allegations of corruption. These culminated in his being found guilty of embezzling funds intended for an orphanage in 2018; The accusations, strongly made by his supporters, were politically motivated. After years of house arrest and legal battles, he was finally acquitted by the Supreme Court in early 2025 following the ouster of his rival Sheikh Hasina.

‘The War of the Begums’

For decades, Bangladesh’s politics were defined by the “Battle of the Begums”, the bitter personal and political rivalry between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. Their hostility was based on the violent past of the 1970s and 80s; The two women were exchanging power for more than 20 years.

While Hasina was known for a louder and more confrontational style, Khaleda was known for her softer-spoken but equally tough-willed demeanor; he rarely engaged in the personal insults common in the region’s political discourse.

A Legacy in Transition

As the country enters a period of mourning, the spotlight turns to his son Tariq Rahman. Rahman, who recently returned from 17 years of self-imposed exile, is preparing to participate in the elections to be held on February 12. Whether he can maintain the “high personality” and political influence established by his mother remains the decisive question for the future of the BNP.

READ ALSO | From India’s Jalpaiguri to Dhaka: The Remarkable Journey of Khaleda Zia