First Lady of Bangladesh () is the unofficial title attributed to the spouse of the president of Bangladesh. Prominent former first ladies include Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former opposition leader Rowshan Ershad.
The title should not be confused with the husband or wife of the prime minister of Bangladesh. Rashida Hamid was the longest serving first lady of Bangladesh.
Duties Duties of the first lady are receiving foreign leaders along with the president, conversing with the spouse of the foreign leader, being a role model for the people of the nation, promoting of policies by the government urging public support of policies, and advocating for socio-economic change. An example of this is Rowshan Ershad who called for improvements in women's rights.
Appointment The first lady takes up her role and office after the inauguration of the president of Bangladesh who is appointed by the Jatiya Sangsad. After the inauguration she resides with her husband at Bangabhaban.
List of officeholders Political parties
Other affiliations
Status
PortraitNamePresident Term as First LadyPolitical party Start of term End of term Tenure 1 Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 17 April 1971 12 January 1972 Awami League — Syeda Nafisa Islam Syed Nazrul Islam 17 April 1971 12 January 1972 Awami League 2 Begum Khurshid Chowdhury Abu Sayeed Chowdhury 12 January 1972 24 December 1973 Awami League 3 Name Unavailable Mohammad Mohammadullah 24 December 1973 25 January 1975 Awami League (1) Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 25 January 1975 15 August 1975 BaKSAL 4 Name Unavailable Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad 15 August 1975 6 November 1975 Awami League 5 Khodeza Begum Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem 6 November 1975 21 April 1977 Awami League 6 Khaleda Zia Ziaur Rahman 21 April 1977 30 May 1981 BNP 7 Name Unavailable Abdus Sattar 30 May 1981 24 March 1982 BNP — Vacant N/A 24 March 1982 27 March 1982 N/A 8 Name Unavailable A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury 27 March 1982 10 December 1983 Independent 9 Rowshan Ershad Hussain Muhammad Ershad 11 December 1983 6 December 1990 Jatiya Party — Anowara Begum Shahabuddin Ahmed 6 December 1990 10 October 1991 Independent 10 Hosne Ara Rahman Abdur Rahman Biswas 10 October 1991 9 October 1996 BNP 11 Anowara Begum Shahabuddin Ahmed 9 October 1996 14 November 2001 Independent 12 Hasina Warda Chowdhury A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury 14 November 2001 21 June 2002 BNP — Nur Akhtar Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar 21 June 2002 6 September 2002 BNP 13 Anwara Begum Iajuddin Ahmed 6 September 2002 12 February 2009 Independent — Vacant Zillur Rahman(Widower) 12 February 2009 20 March 2013 Awami League 14 Rashida Hamid Mohammad Abdul Hamid 14 March 2013 24 April 2023 Awami League 15 Rebecca Sultana Mohammed Shahabuddin 24 April 2023 24 July 2026 Awami League — Vacant Hafizuddin Ahmed (Widower) 24 July 2026 21 August 2026 BNP 16 Rahat Ara Begum Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir 21 August 2026 BNP
References