Begum Khaleda Zia

After a military coup in 1982, led by Army Chief General H M Ershad, Zia helped lead the continuing movement for democracy until the fall of military dictator Ershad in 1990. Khaleda became prime minister following the victory of the BNP in the 1991 general election. She also served briefly in the short-lived government in 1996, when other parties had boycotted the first election. In the next round of general elections of 1996, the Awami League came to power. Her party came to power again in 2001. She has been elected to five separate parliamentary constituencies in the general elections of 1991, 1996 and 2001.

In its list of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, Forbes magazine ranked Zia at number 14 in 2004,[1] number 29 in 2005,[2] and number 33 in 2006.[3]

Following her government's term end in 2006, the scheduled January 2007 elections were delayed due to political violence and in-fighting, resulting in a bloodless military takeover of the caretaker government. During its interim rule, it charged Zia and her two sons with corruption.[4][5][6]

Prime Minister of Bangladesh
In office
10 October 2001 – 29 October 2006
President Shahabuddin Ahmed
Badruddoza Chowdhury
Iajuddin Ahmed
Preceded by Latifur Rahman (Acting)
Succeeded by Iajuddin Ahmed (Acting)
In office
20 March 1991 – 30 March 1996
President Shahabuddin Ahmed (Acting)
Preceded by Kazi Zafar Ahmed
Succeeded by Muhammad Habibur Rahman (Acting)
Leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
30 May 1984
Preceded by Abdus Sattar
Leader of the Opposition
In office
29 December 2008 – 9 January 2014
Preceded by Sheikh Hasina
Succeeded by Rowshan Ershad
In office
23 June 1996 – 15 July 2001
Preceded by Sheikh Hasina
Succeeded by Sheikh Hasina
First Lady of Bangladesh
In office
21 August 1977 – 30 May 1981
President Ziaur Rahman
Preceded by N/A
Succeeded by Rowshan Ershad
Personal details
Born Khaleda Majumder
Dinajpur, India (now Bangladesh)
Political party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (1979–present)
Other political
affiliations Four Party Alliance (2001–2011)
18 Party Alliance (2011–present)
Spouse(s) Ziaur Rahman (1960–1981)
Children Tarique
Arafat
Relatives Sayeed Iskander (Brother)
Khurshid Jahan (Sister)
Shahrin Islam Tuhin (Nephew)
Saiful Islam Duke (Nephew)