Khaleda Zia, a prominent South Asian stateswoman, passed away on December 30th. Entering politics after her husband's assassination, she transformed the BNP into a powerful grassroots movement. During her three terms as Prime Minister, Zia oversaw economic shifts, advanced women's rights, and made primary education free. Her leadership was marked by authoritarian accusations, including repression and corruption, and alliances with religious extremists, leading to her eventual loss of power.