Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, leaves behind a legacy defined by historic achievements and democratic milestones. Rising to national leadership in 1991, she played a pivotal role in restoring parliamentary democracy after years of military-backed rule, marking a turning point in the country’s political evolution.
As leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia built one of the nation’s strongest political institutions, steering Bangladesh through multiple electoral cycles and reinforcing the role of opposition politics in a young democracy. Her tenure helped normalise competitive elections and civilian governance in a volatile political environment.
Beyond politics, her governments focused on education access, healthcare initiatives and social welfare programmes, while strengthening Bangladesh’s presence in regional diplomacy. Khaleda Zia’s leadership also carried symbolic weight, her rise made women’s leadership at the highest level visible and achievable in South Asia.
Born in Jalpaiguri in present-day West Bengal, her life reflected the shared heritage of the Bengal region. Khaleda Zia will be remembered not only as a central political figure, but as a pathbreaker whose leadership reshaped Bangladesh’s democratic identity and inspired generations of women leaders.
