Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia dies aged 80 after prolonged illness

Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who many believed would sweep elections next year to lead her country once again, died aged 80, her Bangladesh National Party said.

"The BNP Chairperson and former prime minister, the national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 am, just after the Fajr (dawn) prayer," the party said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul," it added.

Khaleda had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, chest and heart problems, her doctors said.

'Source of utmost inspiration'

Despite years of ill health and imprisonment, Zia vowed in November to campaign in elections set for February 2026 — the first vote since a mass uprising toppled her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina last year.

Zia's BNP is widely seen as a frontrunner.

But in late November, she was rushed to the hospital, where, despite the best efforts of medics, her condition declined from a raft of health issues.

During her final days, interim leader Muhammad Yunus called for the nation to pray for Zia, calling her a "source of utmost inspiration for the nation."

Zia was jailed in 2018 under Hasina's government, which also blocked her from travelling abroad for medical treatment.

She was released last year, shortly after Hasina was forced from power.