Former President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury Passes Away

Former President of Bangladesh, Professor AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, passed away at the age of 94 while receiving treatment at Uttara Women's Medical College, a hospital he founded. His death occurred at 3:15 AM, as confirmed by his Press Secretary, Jahangir Alam. He is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters, and many relatives and well-wishers.

Badruddoza had been admitted to the hospital on October 2 due to a lung infection. His daughter, Dr. Shayla Chowdhury, revealed that her father had previously suffered from ischemic heart disease. 

Born on October 11, 1930, in Cumilla, at his maternal grandparents' home, Badruddoza had a remarkable academic career. He completed his matriculation with first division from St. Gregory's School in Dhaka in 1947, followed by his ISC in 1949 from Dhaka College. He earned his MBBS degree from Dhaka Medical College in 1954-55, ranking on the merit list in all exams.

An accomplished physician, Badruddoza was a fellow of the Royal Colleges of Physicians in London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, as well as a fellow of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (FCPS) in Bangladesh. He was a respected professor in disease science and a television presenter on medical topics. Additionally, he was a successful politician, having addressed the United Nations three times and authored numerous books. He also received Bangladesh's prestigious Independence Award.

Badruddoza entered politics at the request of former President Ziaur Rahman in 1978 and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Munshiganj, in 1979. He served as a cabinet minister and was re-elected in 1991, holding various positions, including Minister of Education and Deputy Leader of Parliament. He was also Deputy Leader of the Opposition in 1996. In 2001, he briefly served as Minister of Foreign Affairs before being elected President of Bangladesh on November 14, 2001. He resigned from the presidency on June 21, 2002, due to political issues.

In 2004, Badruddoza founded the political party Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh and was serving as its president at the time of his death. His wife is Hasina Wardah Chowdhury, his elder daughter Moona Chowdhury is a barrister, his younger daughter Shayla Chowdhury is a physician and professor at Uttara Women's Medical College, and his son Mahi B. Chowdhury is a politician and media personality.