Khaleda Zia, the BNP chairperson and a three-time prime minister, has passed away. She was 80.

She breathed her last while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital around 6am today (30 December).

The news of Begum Khaleda Zia's death was confirmed by her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, according to a press statement signed by Shamsuddin Didar, press wing officer of the BNP chairperson. 

At the time, present at the hospital were Begum Khaleda Zia's elder son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman, granddaughter Zaima Rahman, younger son's wife Sharmila Rahman Sithi, younger brother Shamim Eskandar and his wife, elder sister Selina Islam, along with other relatives. Also present were BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and all members of the medical board formed for Begum Khaleda Zia's treatment.

The schedule for the funeral prayers (janaza) of the late Begum Khaleda Zia will be announced later, added Shamsuddin.

BNP has called a standing committee meeting at 12pm at the chairperson's office in Gulshan, confirmed BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan. 

Earlier last night, members of her medical board had said her health condition worsened and became extremely critical. 

"Khaleda Zia's condition is extremely critical. She is being kept on life support and is now receiving regular dialysis," said her medical board member Dr Ziaul Haque.

Khaleda had been receiving treatment at her home in Gulshan -- since she was released from prison -- for various complications, including liver, kidney and heart-related issues. 

She was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November. 

Her personal physician Dr Zahid said at the time that she had been admitted for tests on the advice of the medical board. After tests, doctors said she had developed a lung infection. 

Khaleda Zia, born on 15 August 1946, had led the BNP through turbulent decades of politics, imprisonment, and revival.

She is known to be the first woman to be elected as the prime minister of Bangladesh and the second in the Muslim world.