WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Benazir Bhutto embodied the best and worst of South Asian politics. She was a charismatic leader who inspired and gave hope to millions of her people, only to disappointment them with the difficult-to-shake stench of corruption; the first woman leader in a Muslim country, she was emblematic of the region's proclivity toward dynastic politics.

Bhutto was buried Friday, a day after she was killed following an attack, presumably by Islamists allied with al-Qaida, in the city of Rawalpindi, which serves as the headquarters of Pakistan's military. She is survived by her three children and her husband, Asif Zardari, popularly called "Mr. 10 percent" because of the commissions he allegedly received from government deals during her time in power.

Like the Kennedys in the United States or the Gandhis in India, Bhutto came from a proud political family with a history of tragic endings. Her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was a charismatic leader who was executed. Her younger brother, Shahnawaz, died in his apartment in France under mysterious circumstances in 1985. Her older brother, Murtuza, was shot dead by police in Pakistan in 1996.

Bhutto was elected prime minister in 1988 after the death of military ruler Gen. Zia ul-Haq, the man widely held responsible for the execution of her father. She brought in much hope. She was young, educated in the West -- Harvard and Oxford -- and could talk to the United States and Britain in their language. She was the daughter of a popular leader and brought Pakistan the first real chance of democracy since the generals took over in the 1950s. She served two terms -- 1988-90 and 1993-96 -- and was fired both times amid allegations of corruption.

In the fine tradition of parliamentary politics, Bhutto was an astute politician. Despite her personal brand of moderate Islam, she was not beyond dealing with Islamist political parties to suit her own end. She kept strong control over her own Pakistan's People's Party, jostling against her mother for the top job. Then there was the corruption, her reputation for which prompted British socialite Jemima Khan to describe Bhutto as "a kleptocrat in a Hermes headscarf."