Sheikh Hasina was born on 28 September 1947 to the Bengali Muslim Sheikh family of Tungipara in East Bengal.

Birth of Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina married M. A. Wazed Miah, a Bangladeshi physicist, writer, and chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

Marriage to M. A. Wazed Miah

Except for her husband, children and sister Sheikh Rehana, Sheikh Hasina's entire family was murdered during the 15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état which saw the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina, Wazed and Rehana were visiting Europe at the time of the assassination. They took refuge in the house of the Bangladeshi ambassador to West Germany; before taking up an offer of political asylum from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India. The surviving members of the family lived in exile in New Delhi, India for six years.

Family Murder and Exile

In 1981, while living in exile in India, Sheikh Hasina was elected as the President of the Awami League, which has been described as a 'left-of-center' party.

Election as President of the Awami League

In February 1984, Sheikh Hasina was put under house arrest, during a period of martial law in Bangladesh.

House Arrest in February 1984

In November 1984, Sheikh Hasina was once again put under house arrest during the period of martial law in Bangladesh.

House Arrest in November 1984

In March 1985, Sheikh Hasina was put under house arrest for another three months during the period of martial law in Bangladesh.

House Arrest in March 1985

Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League participated in the 1986 Bangladeshi general election held under President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, serving as the leader of the parliamentary opposition in 1986–1987.

Participation in Bangladeshi General Election

In December 1987, Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League resigned, leading to a mass uprising in Dhaka where several people were killed, including an Awami League activist and supporter of Hasina.

Resignation and Mass Uprising

Sheikh Hasina served as the tenth Prime Minister of Bangladesh from June 1996 to July 2001. Her first term was marked by economic growth, reduction in poverty, and political tumult.

First Term as Prime Minister

On February 6, 1997, Sheikh Hasina was honored with the Degree of Doctor of Law by Boston University, recognizing her significant contributions and achievements.

Sheikh Hasina awarded Degree of Doctor of Law by Boston University

In 1998, Sheikh Hasina was awarded the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize by UNESCO, acknowledging her efforts and commitment to peace and harmony.

Sheikh Hasina awarded Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize

During her second term as leader of the opposition, political unrest and violence increased. MP Ahsanullah Master died after he was shot in May 2004. This was followed by a grenade attack on 21 August on an Awami League gathering in Dhaka, resulting in the death of 24 party supporters, including Ivy Rahman, party women's secretary.

Assassination attempt

In October 2006, Sheikh Hasina and Awami League launched the Logi Boitha Movement where thousands of Awami League workers started occupying different streets of Dhaka with boat-hooks and Oars for several days. This resulted in a number of casualties, vandalisms, lootings as well as soaring prices of daily commodities.

Logi Boitha Movement

Sheikh Hasina visited the United States embassy on 14 March 2007, accompanied by others, and later flew to the United States to visit her son and daughter, followed by a move to the United Kingdom.

Hasina's Visit to United States Embassy

On 18 April 2007, the Government barred Hasina from returning, citing provocative statements and potential disorder, described as a temporary measure during the political crisis.

Government Barred Hasina from Returning

An arrest warrant was issued for Hasina for murder on 22 April 2007, but later suspended. The ban on her entry was also dropped, and she returned to Dhaka on 7 May 2007 amidst public support.

Arrest Warrant and Suspension for Hasina

On 16 July 2007, Hasina was arrested by police at her home, accused of extortion and denied bail, leading to widespread allegations of political motivation.

Arrest of Hasina

The High Court suspended Hasina's extortion trial on 30 July 2007 and ordered her release on bail, amidst ongoing legal battles and accusations.

High Court Suspension of Hasina's Extortion Trial

On 13 January 2008, Hasina was indicted on extortion charges by a special court, along with two of her relatives, during the political turmoil.

Indictment of Hasina on Extortion Charges

On 11 June 2008, Hasina was released on parole for medical reasons, and the next day she flew to the United States for treatment, amidst concerns over her health and treatment during detention.

Release of Hasina on Parole

She returned to Bangladesh to contest the 2008 general election under the banner of the 'Grand Alliance' with the Jatiya Party as its main partner. She announced her party's election manifesto during a news conference and vowed to build a 'Digital Bangladesh' by 2021.

Hasina's Return to Bangladesh and Participation in 2008 General Election

Hasina formally announced her party's election manifesto during a news conference and vowed to build a 'Digital Bangladesh' by 2021. The manifesto included pledges to implement measures to reduce price hikes, combat corruption, and strengthen the independent ACC.

Announcement of AL Manifesto and Vision 2021

Hasina was sworn into office as prime minister for a second term on 6 January 2009 after her party's victory in the 2008 general election.

Swearing-in as Prime Minister for Second Term

In 2011, the parliament removed the law that required non-party caretaker government hold elections.

Removal of Non-Party Caretaker Government Law

The BNP General-Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir demanded the Awami League government to disclose a letter from the World Bank, accusing Hasina and three others of corruption.

World Bank graft charges against Hasina

A case against Hasina and 24 other Bangladeshi Ministers and security personnel was lodged at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the alleged violation of human rights.

Lodging of Case at International Criminal Court

Hasina secured a second-consecutive term in office with her ruling Awami League and its Grand Alliance allies, winning the 2014 general election by a landslide.

Winning the 2014 General Election

Sheikh Hasina was re-elected for a third term in 2014, in an election that was boycotted by the BNP and criticised by international observers.

Re-election for a Third Term

Sheikh Hasina was among the 100 most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine in 2015.

Recognition in Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women

In 2015, Sheikh Hasina was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award (Champions of the Earth), recognizing her significant and enduring contributions to environmental causes.

Sheikh Hasina awarded Lifetime Achievement Award

Hasina claimed that a managing director of a US bank instigated the World Bank to cancel the loan for the Padma Bridge project.

Hasina's statement on World Bank loan cancellation

Prime Minister Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus of persuading the World Bank to terminate the loan for the Padma Bridge project.

Hasina's accusation against Muhammad Yunus

On May 26, 2018, Sheikh Hasina was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by Kazi Nazrul University, acknowledging her literary and intellectual endeavors.

Sheikh Hasina awarded Doctor of Letters (Honorary) by Kazi Nazrul University

Sheikh Hasina won her fourth overall term as the leader of the Awami League, amid allegations of vote-rigging and criticism from international observers.

Fourth Term Victory in Parliamentary Election

On February 1, 2021, Sheikh Hasina was referenced in Al Jazeera's documentary titled All the Prime Minister's Men, underscoring her international recognition and influence.

Sheikh Hasina referenced in Al Jazeera's documentary

On October 1, 2021, an animated film named Mujib Amar Pita, based on Sheikh Hasina's book Sheikh Mujib Amar Pita, was released, showcasing her familial connection and literary contributions.

Animated film Mujib Amar Pita released

The government passed a law establishing the Universal Pension Scheme, making all Bangladeshi citizens between 18 and 60 years old eligible to receive a monthly stipend.

Establishment of Universal Pension Scheme

The Finance Ministry requested fiscal assistance from the International Monetary Fund due to depleting foreign-exchange reserves, leading to a staff level agreement and support programme totalling US$4.7 billion.

Fiscal Assistance Request from IMF

The Hasina government ordered the closure of 191 websites and Dainik Dinkal, which was criticized as an attempt to stifle opposition to the government.

Closure of websites and Dainik Dinkal

Anti-government protests broke out, linked to rising costs, while Hasina opened the first phase of Dhaka Metro Rail, the country's first mass-rapid transit system.

Anti-Government Protests and Opening of Dhaka Metro Rail

On October 26, 2023, an animated film about Sheikh Russel was released, where Sheikh Hasina was portrayed as his elder sister and also contributed to the screenplay, reflecting her influence in popular culture.

Animated film Amader Choto Russel Shona released

Sheikh Hasina Wazed, daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, served as Bangladesh's prime minister for over 19 years. She faced political turmoil, won multiple elections, and received international recognition.

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