Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia dies after prolonged illness

The 80-year-old was a dominant figure in Dhaka’s turbulent power struggles and had vowed to run in next year’s election.

Published: 6:08pm, 30 Dec 2025Updated: 6:08pm, 30 Dec 2025

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Bangladesh’s three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia died on December 31, 2025, at the age of 80. Zia had hoped to lead her nation one last time, vowing to run in the 2026 election which will be the first since an August 2024 mass uprising toppled her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia dies after prolonged illness

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The 80-year-old was a dominant figure in Dhaka’s turbulent power struggles and had vowed to run in next year’s election.

The 80-year-old was a dominant figure in Dhaka’s turbulent power struggles and had vowed to run in next year’s election.