Khaleda Zia is born in Dinajpur district of a Muhajeer (immigrant) family in India. Her father ran a shanty tea stall. Her family formally lived in Feni, South-estern district of this country. She is an extra ordinary woman because she has five official date of births,1. 5 Aug, 1944 (Marriage Certificate)
2. 5 Sep, 1946 (Transcript submitted to SAARC secretary)
3. 19 Aug, 1947 (Record of Prime Ministerial oath)
4. 15 Aug, 1947 (Press Secretary)
5. 15 Aug, 1946 (application form, electoral candidacy)
She was admitted in Dinajpur Govt. Girls' High School but dropped out at eighth grade. In 1960, she married a military personnel, Ziaur Rahman. her husband later became Chief of the Armed Forces and subsequently assumed power as Chief Marial law Administrator following a series of military coups who attempted to move toward a civilian administrator by forming the BNP and becoming democratically elected President.
Khaleda Zia had taken little interest in either politics or public life till her husband 9 Also a Muhajeer) was alive. Even when her husband assumed power after the political changes in 1975, she remained a shy and withdrawn housewife spending most of her time raising her two sons. But after the assassination of her husband, in an abortive military coup on 30 May, 1981 at Chittagong. Justice Sattar, Chairman of BNP, appointed Khaleda Zia as vice-chairperson. In February, 1984, she became the chairperson as Justice Sattar retired from politics. On Aug 10, 1984 the party elected her the Chairperson.
Under theleadership of Begum Zia, the BNP formed a 7-party alliance in 1983 and launched a relentless struggle against the autocratic regime of General Ershad . During the 9-year long struggle against Ershad, Begum Zia did not compromise with his autocratic and illegitimate Government. For her strict adherence to the principles, the Govt. restricted her movrmrnts by using prohibitive laws. She was detaind seven times in eight years but undaunted Begum Zia, continued to provide leadership in the movement for ousting Ershad. Like Zia before him, Ershad attempted to give his rule a civilian and democratic face, but Khaleda Zia boycotted all elections during his rule, before his resignation on 6 dec 1990. At the last moment Sheikh Hashina came out from Ershad's front andjoined in hand with Begum Zia.
A neutral caretaker Govt. took over charges after Ershd's resignation and a parliamentary elections held under this Govt. on Feb. 27, 1991.