Khaleda Zia’s Death: A Nation in Mourning

Khaleda Zia’s Death: A Nation in Mourning
30-12-2025.

Bangladesh is observing three days of state mourning after former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia died in Dhaka at the age of 80. She passed away early Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital, where she had been admitted for weeks with multiple chronic complications.​

Khaleda Zia had been admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 for tests after doctors detected a lung or chest infection and decided to keep her under close observation. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the Coronary Care Unit, with her medical team later describing her state as “very critical”. Her personal physician and members of the medical board confirmed that she was battling a range of illnesses, including heart disease, liver and kidney complications, diabetes, arthritis and infection-related problems.​

In the early hours of Tuesday, BNP leaders and family members rushed to the hospital as her condition worsened further. A short while later, doctors declared that the three-time former premier had breathed her last, triggering a wave of grief that quickly spilled onto the streets outside Evercare Hospital.

At the time of her death, several close family members were present, including her elder son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter Zaima. Relatives of her late younger son Arafat Rahman Coco were also in attendance, as were her siblings and extended family members who had gathered in Dhaka in recent days.​

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party figures remained at the hospital through the night, briefing journalists and appealing to supporters to remain calm and prayerful. Soon after the news broke, mourning crowds of BNP activists and ordinary citizens converged on Evercare Hospital, chanting prayers and slogans in her memory.​

Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, addressed the nation on Tuesday to formally announce three days of state mourning for Khaleda Zia. In his televised message, he described her as a “great guardian” and a towering figure in the country’s democratic journey, saying the nation was passing through a “difficult period” after her death.​

Yunus also declared a one-day general holiday on Wednesday, the day of her Namaz-e-Janaza, urging citizens to maintain discipline and order during all mourning observances. He appealed to people to remain patient and united, and to cooperate fully with those responsible for organising the funeral and related formalities.
Khaleda Zia’s funeral prayers are scheduled to be held on Wednesday in front of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) complex in Dhaka, with arrangements underway for her burial beside her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman..

Begum Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and served three terms in office, emerging as one of South Asia’s most prominent women leaders. As BNP chairperson, she played a central role in shaping the country’s multi-party politics, often in fierce rivalry with Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina.​

In recent years, Khaleda Zia’s political life had been overshadowed by prolonged ill health, legal battles and periods of imprisonment, yet she continued to symbolise resistance for her party’s supporters. Even amid declining health, she had signalled an intention to remain politically engaged ahead of the next general elections, underscoring the depth of her commitment to her party’s cause.​

For many Bangladeshis, her death marks the end of a tumultuous era defined by bitter partisan contestation, street agitation and alternating governments led by two powerful women. As the nation prepares to perform her final rites, tributes continue to pour in from across the political spectrum and from leaders around the world.