Begum Khaleda Zia was born on August 15, 1946, in Dinajpur.

 She was the fourth of six siblings four sisters and two brothers. 

Although her ancestral home was in Fulgazi of Feni, she spent her childhood and adolescence in Dinajpur, where her father was posted for work.

She formally entered politics on January 3, 1982, when she became a primary member of the BNP. 

Later that year, on November 7, she delivered her first speech while paying tribute at the grave of Ziaur Rahman.