Khaleda Zia Family tree: Who was Begum Khaleda Zia close to… India or Pakistan? How was her husband murdered? All you need to know about her family tree

Khaleda Zia Family Tree: Begum Khaleda Zia, the “Iron Lady” of Bangladesh, has passed away. Her political legacy is now in the hands of a new generation. Khaleda took over the party after the assassination of her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman. Now, her elder son, Tariq Rahman, who returned home on December 25, 2025, after 17 years of exile, will take charge of the BNP. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman “Koko,” has already passed away. Tariq’s daughter, Zaima Rahman, is also being seen as a future leader. Zia was considered more inclined towards Pakistan than India(BHARAT).

In diplomatic circles, she had a reputation as an “anti-India(BHARAT)” leader. While her rival, Sheikh Hasina, is considered a close friend of India(BHARAT), India(BHARAT)-Bangladesh relations were often strained and sour during Khaleda Zia’s rule.

Tarique Rahman: Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. Khaleda Zia, who once managed the household as a housewife, not only became the Prime Minister of the country, but also remained in the list of powerful women of the world for three consecutive years in Forbes Magazine in 2004, 2005, 2006. With her demise, an era of Bangladesh politics has come to an end. Let us know about the family which has acted as a pivot in Bangladesh politics for the last four decades.

Ziaur Rahman: Khaleda Zia was married to Ziaur Rahman in 1960. Rahman was a captain in the Pakistani Army at the time. Ziaur Rahman, a hero of the 1971 Liberation War and later President of Bangladesh, founded the BNP in 1978. He was assassinated during a military coup in Chittagong on May 30, 1981. It was only after her husband’s assassination that Khaleda Zia, considered a homemaker, entered politics and took charge of the party. He was killed by an army bullet.

Ziaur Rahman, the sixth President of Bangladesh, was killed during a military coup in Chittagong on May 30, 1981. That night, a group of army officers seized the Chittagong Circuit House, where Ziaur Rahman was staying, and shot him.

Tarique Rahman: Khaleda Zia’s eldest son, Tarique Rahman, is now the primary heir to her political legacy. He currently serves as the acting chairman of the BNP. After Khaleda’s death, the responsibility of the party will rest on his shoulders. Tarique returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile. He returned to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, with his wife and daughter. Tarique’s family includes his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, a doctor by profession. He also has a daughter, Zaima Rahman, who lives in London and is a barrister by profession. Zaima is being seen as a future face of politics.
Younger son – Arafat Rahman ‘Koko’ – Khaleda Zia’s younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, has already passed away. Koko died of cardiac arrest in Malaysia on January 24, 2015. He was more active as a sports organizer than in politics. His wife is Sharmila Rahman Sithi. They have two daughters, Zahia and Zaifa.

Who is in Khalida’s maternal family?

Khaleda Zia was born in 1945 in Jalpaiguri (then British India(BHARAT)). However, her father was from Feni, Bangladesh. His father, Iskandar Majumdar, was a tea businessman. Her mother’s name was Tayyaba Majumdar. Khaleda was the third of five siblings. Her elder sister, Khurshid Jahan, a former minister, died in 2006. Her brother, Sayeed Iskander, was also a politician and died in 2012. Her surviving siblings include Shamim Iskander (a retired flight engineer) and sister Selina Islam.
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