At 80, Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh First Female PM, Dies Due to Advanced Liver Cirrhosis

The political landscape of Bangladesh has lost one of its most defining figures. Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female Prime Minister and a central pillar of its democracy, passed away early Tuesday morning, December 30, 2025. She was 80 years old.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed that she breathed her last around 6:00 a.m. at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, shortly after the Fajr prayers. Her passing comes at a critical time for the nation, just as it prepares for upcoming elections. 

Khaleda Zia's Cause of Death

The BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away today at 6:00 a.m., shortly after the Fajr prayer. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un. We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul. pic.twitter.com/KY2948UPD5

— Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (@bdbnp78) December 30, 2025

Medical reports from her team of doctors indicate that the primary cause of death was advanced liver cirrhosis. Khaleda Zia had been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23, but her condition became critical in recent days.

By December 11, she was placed on ventilator support as her organs began to fail. Despite efforts to stabilise her for a flight to London for a liver transplant, her health was deemed too fragile for travel. The medical board, which included specialists from the US, UK, and Australia, noted that the damage to her liver had reached a stage where it caused fluid accumulation in her chest and lungs, eventually leading to a fatal decline.

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Her Long Battle with Chronic Illness

While her recent hospitalisation was the final chapter, Khaleda Zia’s health had been a major concern for years. Her medical history was complex, involving several chronic conditions that worsened over time:

• Liver Cirrhosis: This was the most severe of her ailments, leading to internal bleeding and the need for a TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) procedure in late 2023.
• Heart Disease: She had a permanent pacemaker and had previously undergone stent placements.
• Diabetes and Arthritis: Long-term management of these conditions made her more susceptible to infections.
• Kidney and Lung Issues: In her final weeks, she also battled pneumonia, which severely taxed her respiratory system.

For years, her family and party leaders fought for her right to seek advanced medical care abroad, a request that remained a point of heavy political debate until her release from legal restrictions last year.

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Conclusion

Known as a "towering political figure," Khaleda Zia served two terms as Prime Minister and was admired for her resilience and leadership following the assassination of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman.

The death of Begum Khaleda Zia marks the end of an era. Beyond her medical struggles, she will be remembered as a leader who shaped the modern identity of Bangladesh. Her journey from a grieving widow to a two-time Prime Minister remains a powerful narrative of political endurance.