Overview
- Khaleda Zia died at 6:00 a.m. local time at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, the BNP said, after being admitted on November 23 and placed on ventilator support on December 11.
- Doctors had described her condition as critical, citing advanced cirrhosis of the liver along with diabetes, arthritis, and chest and heart complications during her final weeks.
- Zia was a dominant figure in Bangladeshi politics who served as prime minister in 1991–1996 and 2001–2006, leading the 1990s pro‑democracy movement and long opposing Sheikh Hasina.
- After 2018 corruption convictions she was released for medical reasons and, in January 2025, acquitted in the last case against her, which restored her eligibility to contest elections.
- Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad days before her death, is the BNP’s acting chairman, has filed his own nominations, and papers were also filed on Zia’s behalf for the February 12, 2026 vote.