People of the archive

Khaleda Zia

Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was Tarique Rahman’s mother.

Portrait in Dhaka, 29 August 2016.Source: U.S. Department of State

Background

Public life

Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister in 1991. She led the BNP and returned to government following the 2001 parliamentary election. Her political life is documented in the BSS biographical account.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) ↗

Background

Party leadership

Khaleda Zia married Ziaur Rahman in 1960. After his death, she joined the BNP in 1982 and became chairperson in 1984. She was a prominent opposition figure during the movement against military rule in the 1980s, before the parliamentary election of 1991 brought the BNP to government.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) ↗

Background

Government & Parliament

Her first premiership began in 1991, during Bangladesh’s return to parliamentary government. She also headed the short administration following the February 1996 election, then served in opposition after the June election. The BNP-led alliance returned to office in 2001, and her government completed its term in 2006. BSS records her death on 30 December 2025.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) ↗

Family & background