Niloufer Manzur founding head of Sunbeams International school Bangladesh died in hospital care from the COVID-19 illness at the age of 74, her family said. Niloufer passed away at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka on early Tuesday.

She left behind her husband, Syed Manzur Elahi, a former caretaker government adviser and chairman of Apex Footwear Ltd, son Syed Nasim Manzur, daughter Munize Manzur, daughter-in-law Dr Samia Huq, six grandchildren, sister Yasmeen Haque and brother Jamshed Chowdhury.

In an emailed statement, Niloufer's family said she will be buried after a private funeral prayer upon following and maintaining all necessary health directives and protocols. The family has requested all to "kindly pray for the departed soul". Niloufer was the daughter of late Dr Mafiz Ali Chowdhury, a former minister in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's cabinet in 1972.

Niloufer established Sunbeams in 1974, elevating the school to one of the best English-medium institutions in Bangladesh. She was also involved with a social marketing company.

Sunbeams alumni and a large host of friends, admirers and students in Bangladesh and beyond have expressed condolences on social media over the death of Niloufer, lauding her as a true nation builder.