Begum Khaleda Zia's demise news in international media

The news of the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has been widely reported in the international media.

The world's influential news agencies and media outlets have published various reports highlighting her long political life, leadership and impact on Bangladeshi politics.

Begum Khaleda Zia died at 6 am today while undergoing treatment at the capital's Evercare Hospital. She was 80 years old at the time of her death.

AFP: The news agency AFP reported that former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away this Tuesday morning. An official statement issued by the BNP confirmed her death.

Associated Press (AP): AP reported that Begum Khaleda Zia had been battling a long-standing illness as well as a legal battle. She and her party had always claimed that the cases brought against her were politically motivated. In January 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted her of her last corruption case. This removed all legal obstacles to her participation in the upcoming national elections. Although her application for medical treatment abroad was rejected several times during the previous government, the interim government allowed her to receive medical treatment abroad in January this year. After receiving advanced treatment, she returned home from the UK in May.

Al Jazeera: Al Jazeera reported that Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhaka after a long illness.

The report said that she was suffering from various complications related to old age, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. She was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with a lung infection and breathing difficulties. Later, when her physical complications, including pneumonia, increased, she was kept in the CCU and ICU. She was being treated under the supervision of local and foreign specialist doctors.

BBC: BBC published various news with importance, including a special report titled 'How Khaleda Zia became one of the leaders in the history of Bangladesh from a housewife'.

Anandabazar: India's Andandabazar Patrika wrote, "From a 'First Lady' who was once reluctant to enter politics to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh!" It has published various reports including a report titled 'Begum Zia became a 'puppet' of Jalpaiguri'.

Begum Khaleda Zia's political career began after the death of her husband, martyred President Ziaur Rahman. She became active in politics in 1982 and led the mass movement against military dictatorship in the 90s. After the fall of the dictatorship in 1990, she became the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh in the national parliamentary elections held on 27 February 1991, she was elected Prime Minister for the second time in the national parliamentary elections held on 15 February 1996 and for the third time in 2001.

International media outlets have stated that the death of Begum Khaleda Zia has ended a chapter in Bangladeshi politics. She was not only the head of a party, but will be remembered as one of the most influential political figures in the history of parliamentary democracy.

Numerous people in the country and abroad are expressing grief over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, known as a symbol of uncompromising leadership in a long four-decade political career.

The death of Begum Zia has cast a shadow of grief across the country, including the political arena of the country, and among Bangladeshis living abroad. A crowd of mourners and activists was seen in front of the capital's Evercare Hospital, her residence in Gulshan, and the BNP central office in Naya Paltan. Numerous people were seen in tears. There is mourning among party leaders and activists everywhere across the country.