Wednesday, 31 December, 2025
The death of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has drawn wide coverage from leading international news organisations, many of which described her passing as the end of a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.
Across continents, global media outlets highlighted her rise from political novice to the country’s first woman prime minister, her decades-long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, and her central role in shaping Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
Here is a snapshot of how major international outlets reported her death:
The New York Times
The New York Times placed Khaleda Zia firmly within the context of Bangladesh’s dynastic politics, describing her as the country’s first female prime minister whose decades-long rivalry with Hasina, another woman leading a powerful political dynasty, “shaped the fate of the young South Asian nation”.
The headline read: “Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Dies”.
The report noted that she “served two full terms and one shortened term as prime minister” and that she “traded the country’s leadership with Sheikh Hasina, the head of another political dynasty, over decades”.
It highlighted the hardships of her final decade, noting that she “was hounded by Hasina… who kept her either in jail or under house arrest as court cases piled up against her.” The NYT also recorded that, despite illness, she celebrated Hasina’s downfall from her hospital bed as “the end of tyranny”.
The coverage traced her personal and political trajectory, from being “the widow of the first of several military rulers in Bangladesh’s turbulent 50-year history” to rising as BNP chairperson, navigating coups, imprisonment, and political rivalry.
Reuters
Reuters was among the first to report the news globally, running the headline:
“Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, dies at 80.”
The news agency described Khaleda Zia as a dominant political figure who rose to power in 1991 and went on to develop a “bitter rivalry” with Sheikh Hasina, with the two leaders trading power for decades.
While noting that Khaleda Zia had been out of office since 2006 and spent years in jail or under house arrest, Reuters said she and her centre-right BNP continued to command significant popular support.
BBC
The BBC focused on Khaleda Zia’s personal and political transformation, headlining its report:
“Khaleda Zia: Slain leader’s widow who went on to lead Bangladesh.”
The broadcaster recalled how she was once described as a “shy housewife” married to Ziaur Rahman, a key independence-era figure who later became president, before stepping into politics following his assassination in 1981.
The BBC noted that Khaleda Zia went on to lead the BNP and serve several terms as prime minister, becoming one of the most influential figures in the country’s post-independence politics.
The Guardian
Britain’s The Guardian described her as a defining figure of an entire political era, writing:
“Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh whose long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined the country’s politics for a generation, has died aged 80.”
The paper said Khaleda Zia was one of the most significant — and divisive — political figures in Bangladesh since independence.
Al Jazeera
Qatar-based Al Jazeera highlighted the public reaction inside Bangladesh, running the headline:
“Bangladesh mourns former leader Khaleda Zia, who died aged 80.”
It described her as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and “a towering figure” in the country’s often turbulent political landscape.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post emphasised her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, headlining its report:
“Khaleda Zia, former Bangladeshi prime minister and archrival of Hasina, dies at 80.”
The paper said the rivalry between the two leaders shaped Bangladesh’s politics for a generation.
Bloomberg
Bloomberg framed her career through the lens of democratic transition, publishing the headline:
“Khaleda Zia, a Force for Democracy in Bangladesh, Dies at 80.”
The outlet described her as a leader who helped usher in democracy after years of military rule and who dominated Bangladesh’s political life for decades.
Dawn
Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn reported:
“Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, dies at 80 after prolonged illness.”
It recalled her imprisonment on corruption charges under the Awami League government and noted that she was later released following political changes that saw Sheikh Hasina leave power.
The Times of India
India’s Times of India highlighted regional reactions, focusing on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tribute and recalling his past meeting with Khaleda Zia.
Its headline read:
“Khaleda Zia no more: PM Modi expresses grief over ex-Bangladesh PM’s death; shares pictures of 2015 meet.”
The report noted Modi’s remarks on Khaleda Zia’s role in Bangladesh’s development and in strengthening bilateral ties between the two neighbours.
Comments
The death of BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has drawn wide coverage from leading international news organisations, many of which described her passing as the end of a defining chapter in Bangladesh’s political history.
Across continents, global media outlets highlighted her rise from political novice to the country’s first woman prime minister, her decades-long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, and her central role in shaping Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
Here is a snapshot of how major international outlets reported her death:
The New York Times
The New York Times placed Khaleda Zia firmly within the context of Bangladesh’s dynastic politics, describing her as the country’s first female prime minister whose decades-long rivalry with Hasina, another woman leading a powerful political dynasty, “shaped the fate of the young South Asian nation”.
The headline read: “Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Dies”.
The report noted that she “served two full terms and one shortened term as prime minister” and that she “traded the country’s leadership with Sheikh Hasina, the head of another political dynasty, over decades”.
It highlighted the hardships of her final decade, noting that she “was hounded by Hasina… who kept her either in jail or under house arrest as court cases piled up against her.” The NYT also recorded that, despite illness, she celebrated Hasina’s downfall from her hospital bed as “the end of tyranny”.
The coverage traced her personal and political trajectory, from being “the widow of the first of several military rulers in Bangladesh’s turbulent 50-year history” to rising as BNP chairperson, navigating coups, imprisonment, and political rivalry.
Reuters
Reuters was among the first to report the news globally, running the headline:
“Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, dies at 80.”
The news agency described Khaleda Zia as a dominant political figure who rose to power in 1991 and went on to develop a “bitter rivalry” with Sheikh Hasina, with the two leaders trading power for decades.
While noting that Khaleda Zia had been out of office since 2006 and spent years in jail or under house arrest, Reuters said she and her centre-right BNP continued to command significant popular support.
BBC
The BBC focused on Khaleda Zia’s personal and political transformation, headlining its report:
“Khaleda Zia: Slain leader’s widow who went on to lead Bangladesh.”
The broadcaster recalled how she was once described as a “shy housewife” married to Ziaur Rahman, a key independence-era figure who later became president, before stepping into politics following his assassination in 1981.
The BBC noted that Khaleda Zia went on to lead the BNP and serve several terms as prime minister, becoming one of the most influential figures in the country’s post-independence politics.
The Guardian
Britain’s The Guardian described her as a defining figure of an entire political era, writing:
“Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh whose long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina defined the country’s politics for a generation, has died aged 80.”
The paper said Khaleda Zia was one of the most significant — and divisive — political figures in Bangladesh since independence.
Al Jazeera
Qatar-based Al Jazeera highlighted the public reaction inside Bangladesh, running the headline:
“Bangladesh mourns former leader Khaleda Zia, who died aged 80.”
It described her as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and “a towering figure” in the country’s often turbulent political landscape.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post emphasised her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina, headlining its report:
“Khaleda Zia, former Bangladeshi prime minister and archrival of Hasina, dies at 80.”
The paper said the rivalry between the two leaders shaped Bangladesh’s politics for a generation.
Bloomberg
Bloomberg framed her career through the lens of democratic transition, publishing the headline:
“Khaleda Zia, a Force for Democracy in Bangladesh, Dies at 80.”
The outlet described her as a leader who helped usher in democracy after years of military rule and who dominated Bangladesh’s political life for decades.
Dawn
Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn reported:
“Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, dies at 80 after prolonged illness.”
It recalled her imprisonment on corruption charges under the Awami League government and noted that she was later released following political changes that saw Sheikh Hasina leave power.
The Times of India
India’s Times of India highlighted regional reactions, focusing on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tribute and recalling his past meeting with Khaleda Zia.
Its headline read:
“Khaleda Zia no more: PM Modi expresses grief over ex-Bangladesh PM’s death; shares pictures of 2015 meet.”
The report noted Modi’s remarks on Khaleda Zia’s role in Bangladesh’s development and in strengthening bilateral ties between the two neighbours.
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