Khaleda Zia Was Indian? All About Her Husband And Sons, Tarique And Arafat Rahman Amid Her Death

Bangladesh's former Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, passed away at the age of 80 on December 30, 2025, at around 6:00 a.m. Khaleda was a defining figure in Bangladeshi politics, becoming the nation's first female PM. The former chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had been battling several illnesses, including infections and long-term ailments. Khaleda reportedly left the world with her elder son, Tarique Rahman, by her side. Amid an outpouring of condolences and national mourning, here's all you need to know about the former Bangladeshi PM's roots and family.

Know Khaleda Zia's roots, was she Indian?

Khaleda Zia had Indian roots as she was born in Jalpaiguri, in the Bengal Province of British India (now located in West Bengal, India). While she was born in territory that is now part of India, her family migrated to East Bengal (then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh) following the Partition of 1947. Khaleda's father, Iskandar Ali Majumder, was a tea businessman originally from Feni (present-day Bangladesh). Her mother, Taiyaba Majumder, was from the village of Chandbari in West Dinajpur (now in West Bengal, India).

Who was Khaleda Zia's husband?

Khaleda Zia was married to Ziaur Rahman (1936–1981) until his death. Ziaur was a highly decorated military officer who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination in 1981. He was a prominent figure of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and is famously credited with broadcasting Bangladesh's declaration of independence over the radio in March 1971. In 1978, he founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the party which his wife, Khaleda Zia later led for decades. The couple got married in August 1960, when Ziaur Rahman was a captain in the Pakistan Army. He was assassinated on May 30, 1981, during an attempted military coup in Chittagong.

All about Khaleda Zia's sons, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman

Khaleda Zia and Ziaur Rahman had two sons, Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman 'Koko'. Tarique Rahman is the political heir to Khaleda Zia and the current acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). After 17 years in self-imposed exile in London, he returned to Dhaka on December 25, 2025 and was reportedly by his mother's side in her final moments. The 60-year-old is currently a frontrunner for the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 2026. Beyond his political commitments, he fulfills his familial duties to his wife and child. Tarique is married to Dr. Zubaida Rahman. Their daughter, Zaima Rahman, is a barrister in London and is widely regarded as a future political leader.

Khaleda Zia and Ziaur Rahman's younger son, Arafat Rahman 'Koko', passed away on January 24, 2015, at the age of 45, following a cardiac arrest while in Malaysia. He was less involved in politics than his elder brother and was focused more on sports and business. Arafat served as a cricket organizer and was once the chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board's Development Committee. He was married to Sharmila Rahman Sithi, and they had two daughters, Zahia Rahman and Zaifa Rahman. Sharmila reportedly hasn't remarried after Arafat's untimely demise.

What was Khaleda Zia's cause of death?

Khaleda Zia's medical reports indicate that her death was the result of a combination of severe infections and long-term organ failure. Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on November 23, 2025, with a severe lung infection that later developed into pneumonia, leading to respiratory failure. She also developed a chest infection, which placed extreme stress on her heart. Khaleda Zia had also been suffering from advanced liver cirrhosis for an extended period, which had significantly weakened her body. Besides these, she also had chronic diabetes, kidney complications, and severe arthritis.

We offer our heartfelt condolences to Khaleda Zia's family as they deal with her loss.

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