The Life of Khaleda Zia in Pictures

Early Life & Quiet Beginnings (1945)

Born in Dinajpur, then part of British India, Khaleda Zia grew up far from the political spotlight she would later command.

Marriage to a Soldier Turned Statesman

Khaleda Zia with Ziaur Rahman, whose rise from army officer to national leader changed the course of her life.

Widowhood After a National Tragedy (1981)

After Ziaur Rahman’s assassination, Zia was seen a grieving widow stepping into an uncertain and hostile political arena.

Reluctant Entry into Politics

A reserved Khaleda Zia gradually transformed into a public figure as she took charge of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party

Leader of the Anti-Ershad Movement

Powerful protest marked her role in the mass uprising that led to the fall of military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad

First Woman Prime Minister of Bangladesh (1991)

Khaleda Zia takes oath as Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, redefining women’s leadership in South Asia.

The ‘Battle of the Begums’ Era

Photographs from intense election campaigns highlight her long-standing rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, symbolising Bangladesh’s deeply polarised politics.

Return to Power (2001)

Zia remained confident and commanding from her second term as Prime Minister, which reflected her political resilience and mass appeal.

Arrest, Trials, and Confinement

Court appearances, imprisonment, and guarded residences marked one of the most controversial phases of her life.

The Ailing Leader in Political Limbo

Recent photographs showed a frail Khaleda Zia under medical care—an image of a once-dominant leader caught between legacy, illness, and unfinished political battles.

End of an era

Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, dies at 80