The aim of this study is to explore the meaning of quality of life (QoL) for elderly people in a rural communityin Bangladesh. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with 11 elderly persons aged 63–86 years.Interview data were analysed using content analysis to determine the conceptual meaning of elderly peoples’experiences of QoL. Two major themes emerged from the data as being of utmost importance in QoL of elderlypeople in rural Bangladesh. These were: (i) having a role in the family and the community and (ii) beingfunctional, both physically and economically. Results also showed that elderly people in rural Bangladeshprioritise being healthy, having a good social network, social support and a secure financial situation in order tohave good QoL. This study is a step towards a better understanding of QoL experienced by the elderly peoplethemselves in a rural Bangladeshi context.