Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.
Her death follows reports that her condition had become “extremely critical.” Physicians stated she was placed on life support but that multiple treatments were not possible due to her age and overall poor health.
Zia rose to power in 1991 after leading her party to victory in the country’s first democratic election in 20 years.
Despite her failing health, her party had earlier announced her intention to contest the general elections expected in February—the first since a revolution ousted her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina.
