Khaleda Zia

Khaleda Zia – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the inspiring journey of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister — her early life, political rise, trials and controversies, leadership philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Khaleda Zia stands as one of the most prominent—and polarizing—figures in modern Bangladeshi politics. As the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and a long-time leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), her life is intertwined with the struggles, triumphs, and upheavals of her nation. Her political career has been marked by democratic ambitions, hard-fought contests, legal battles, and a deep personal resilience. Even today, she remains central to Bangladesh’s political narrative, with many viewing her as a symbol of resistance, women’s leadership, and the complexities of power.

Early Life and Family

Khaleda Khanam (often known by her nickname “Putul”) was born on 15 August 1945 in Jalpaiguri, in what was then British India (later part of Dinajpur District). Fulgazi, Feni District in present-day Bangladesh.

She was the third of five children born to Iskandar Ali Majumder, a tea businessman, and Taiyaba Majumder.

Her early education was modest: she attended Dinajpur Missionary School and later Dinajpur Girls’ School. “self-educated.”

In 1960, she married Ziaur Rahman, then a captain in the Pakistan Army, and later took his first name as her surname (becoming Khaleda Zia). Tarique Rahman (born 1967) and Arafat Rahman (born 1969). Khurshid Jahan, and brother Sayeed Iskander being among the better known.

Youth and Education

Khaleda’s youth was shaped by upheavals in South Asia—Partition, shifting borders, and political realignments. Because her formal schooling ended early, much of her intellectual formation seems to have come through active exposure: reading, political discussion, and immersion in national affairs.

Although she reportedly enrolled at Surendranath College (Dinajpur) post-marriage, she later relocated to West Pakistan with her husband in 1965 and returned in 1969 to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). During this period, she lived a life closely tied to a military family: her husband’s duties took them across postings, and she experienced life across East and West Pakistan, giving her a perspective on national politics, identity, and governance.

Her background—humble, less formal in academic credentials—became a point of both criticism and admiration. Critics sometimes raised her lack of advanced degrees, while supporters saw her as a self-made political leader who rose on grit and perseverance.

Career and Achievements

Entry into Politics

When her husband Ziaur Rahman became President of Bangladesh (after a military rule period), Khaleda Zia assumed a public profile as First Lady.

In 1982, a military coup brought Hussain Muhammad Ershad to power. Zia took a stand—and began organizing resistance. In 1983, she was made Vice President of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and soon after, in 1984, she was elected chairperson of the party.

First Term as Prime Minister (1991–1996)

The transition away from military rule culminated in a caretaker government overseeing the 1991 elections. The BNP won a plurality of seats, and Khaleda Zia was sworn in as the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 20 March 1991.

Her administration took immediate constitutional steps: the 12th Amendment restored a parliamentary system by curtailing the President’s authority, redefining the balance of power.

She prioritized education reforms: making primary education free and mandatory, enhancing female access to secondary education, and increasing education budget allocations.

Return to Power and Second Term (2001–2006)

After a period in opposition, BNP returned to power in the 2001 general election, aided by a four-party alliance. Zia became prime minister again in October 2001.

Her third term is often noted for efforts to expand infrastructure, attract foreign direct investment, and promote economic growth.

However, her alliances drew criticism. In particular, her partnership with Jamaat-e-Islami (an Islamist party) in her coalition sparked controversy over secularism and governance.

Challenges, Legal Battles, and Later Years

After her 2006 term, Bangladesh faced political instability and a caretaker government took control amid violence and unrest.

In 2018, she was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison across corruption cases (Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust).

In a development of major significance, on 15 January 2025, the Bangladesh Supreme Court acquitted her in one of the corruption cases, paving the way for her to reenter active politics. London in January 2025 for medical treatment, amid serious health concerns including liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, and cardiovascular issues.

Her son, Tarique Rahman, residing in exile, also remains a key figure in BNP and is often seen as her political heir.

Historical Context & Milestones

• Return to Parliamentary Democracy (1991): Zia’s first term marked Bangladesh’s return to parliamentary democracy after years under military rule.

• Constitutional Amendments: Under her tenure, the balance of power shifted, particularly by rolling back centralized presidential authority.

• Women in Power: As one of the earliest Muslim-majority country female prime ministers (after Benazir Bhutto), she represented a breakthrough in gender norms in South Asia.

• Political Polarization: Her rivalry with Sheikh Hasina (leader of the Awami League) defined two decades of Bangladeshi politics—often dubbed “the battle of the Begums.”

• Corruption Allegations & Legal Battles: Her later years became mired in court contests, frequently seen by her supporters as politically motivated, and by critics as necessary for accountability.

• Health & Exile: Her declining health and the periods of incarceration, house arrest, and overseas medical treatment highlight how personal vulnerability and politics intersect in her life.

Legacy and Influence

Khaleda Zia’s legacy is contested and multifaceted:

• Champion for Women’s Leadership: Her rise from relative obscurity to becoming prime minister has been inspirational, especially to women in South Asia.

• Institutional Reforms: Her push to strengthen parliament, education, and decentralized governance left enduring institutional marks.

• Polarizing Figure: For many, she is a symbol of democratic resistance against authoritarianism; to others, a figure mired in corruption and backroom alliances.

• Dynastic Politics: Her sons and relatives occupy important roles in BNP, making her tenure part of a larger narrative of political dynasties in Bangladesh.

• Symbol in Times of Flux: In the wake of Bangladesh’s political upheavals (especially after 2024), her acquittal and potential political return have made her central to debates about democracy, justice, and governance.

Her influence will likely be felt in future elections, party alignments, and the ideological orientation of opposition politics in Bangladesh.

Personality and Talents

Khaleda Zia is often described as determined, resilient, and politically shrewd. Observers note her ability to stay afloat through adversity—legal troubles, medical crises, political marginalization.

Her lack of formal higher education is sometimes pointed to as a weakness, but in her narrative, it became a badge of perseverance: she built her political capital through mobilization, oratory, grassroots outreach, and alliance-building.

She has been criticized for alliances with controversial parties and for issues around governance and transparency. Yet supporters argue she acted in difficult political contexts, where survival required compromise. Whether viewed as flawed or heroic, her personality is unmistakably ambitious, calculated, and driven by a sense of purpose in national politics.

Famous Quotes of Khaleda Zia

Here are a few notable sayings attributed to Khaleda Zia (translated where needed):

1. “If a woman becomes prime minister, that country will prosper.”

2. “A just leader always listens to the voice of people, not only when they shout.”

3. “I always said I would never bow down to tyranny.”

4. “Politics is not for the faint-hearted; it demands sacrifice, courage, and vision.”

5. “Truth and perseverance can conquer walls built by fear.”

(Note: Because many of her speeches are in Bengali, translations and attributions vary; some quotes are paraphrased from public speeches and interviews.)

Her quotes often emphasize courage, justice, and persistence—reflecting themes she returned to throughout her political life.

Lessons from Khaleda Zia

• Resilience matters: Her political survival through crises demonstrates the power of inner resolve.

• No perfect background needed: She showed that leadership can emerge outside elite academic credentials.

• Balance compromise and principle: Her alliances reveal both the necessity and danger of political compromise.

• Health and time are fragile: Her later years underscore how even powerful figures must contend with human vulnerability.

• Symbolism matters: Her existence as a female leader—and her imprisonment and comeback—carry symbolic weight beyond policies.

Above all, her life suggests that politics is not only about power, but about narrative, survival, and identity.

Conclusion

Khaleda Zia’s life is emblematic of Bangladesh’s post-independence struggles: from authoritarianism to democratic hope, and from political polarization to legal reckoning. She broke barriers as the first female prime minister, pushed major reforms in education and governance, and endured trials that tested both her physical strength and moral standing.

As of 2025, her legal vindication and ongoing political relevance suggest that her story is far from over. Whether one sees her as a flawed but tenacious leader or as a figure overshadowed by controversies, she remains a central character in Bangladesh’s modern history.

Explore more timeless quotes and perspectives on her political journey, and see how her legacy continues to shape Bangladesh’s destiny.