Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has died at the age of 80, her party confirmed on Tuesday, marking the end of an era in the country’s politics.
Zia, the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh, dominated national politics for decades through her fierce rivalry with Sheikh Hasina. The interim government has announced three days of national mourning, with funeral prayers to be held outside parliament in Dhaka.
Leaders at home and abroad paid tribute, including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised her contributions to Bangladesh and regional ties. Zia had long battled corruption charges she called politically motivated and was acquitted earlier this year.
Her death comes at a critical moment as Bangladesh navigates a fragile political transition, with many warning it leaves a major void in the country’s leadership landscape.
