The death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has been widely covered by leading international media outlets, reflecting her long-standing influence on Bangladesh’s politics and her stature on the global stage. The New York Times ran the headline, “Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Dies,” noting that she served as prime minister three times. The Washington Post, described her as one of the most influential and polarising figures in Bangladesh’s modern political history. Despite her health condition, the BBC reported, her party had said she would contest the general election scheduled for February. Al Jazeera reported described her as Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and the second woman to lead a democratically elected government in a Muslim-majority country.

Source: International New York Times December 30, 2025 14:32 UTC