Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has died at 80, her political party has announced Tuesday. Her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined Bangladeshi politics for a generation. Bangladesh’s interim government has announced a three-day mourning period. A general holiday also has been announced for Wednesday when Zia’s funeral prayers are scheduled be held in front of Parliament. The Supreme Court acquitted Zia in January 2025 in her last corruption case, which she claimed was politically motivated. This would have allowed her to run in February's election. She returned to Bangladesh in May after medical treatment in the U.K. Zia was the first woman elected prime minister of Bangladesh.
