Image of Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher

Person

Former UK Prime Minister who inspired Hilton.


First Mentioned

6/6/2026, 5:04:07 AM

Last Updated

6/6/2026, 5:05:45 AM

Research Retrieved

6/6/2026, 5:05:45 AM

Summary

Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) was a prominent British stateswoman who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. As the first female British prime minister and the longest-serving of the 20th century, her uncompromising leadership style and neoliberal economic policies earned her the nickname the "Iron Lady" and defined the political philosophy known as "Thatcherism." Her tenure was marked by the privatization of state-owned companies, deregulation of financial markets, and efforts to reduce the power of trade unions. In contemporary political discourse, as highlighted in related documents, her legacy continues to inspire conservative figures globally, including California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton.

Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Award

    Presidential Medal of Freedom

  • Gender

    Female

  • Nickname

    Iron Lady

  • Education

    Somerville College, Oxford

  • Citizenship

    United Kingdom

  • Date of Birth

    1925-10-13

  • Date of Death

    2013-04-08

  • Place of Birth

    Grantham, United Kingdom

  • Place of Death

    The Ritz London, United Kingdom

  • Political Party

    Conservative Party

Timeline
  • Margaret Hilda Roberts is born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1925-10-13

  • Elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Finchley. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1959-10-08

  • Appointed Secretary of State for Education and Science by Edward Heath. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1970-06-20

  • Defeats Edward Heath to become Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1975-02-11

  • Becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom after winning the general election. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1979-05-04

  • Leads the UK response to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, resulting in the Falklands War. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1982-04-02

  • Wins a landslide re-election for a second term as Prime Minister. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1983-06-09

  • Survives an assassination attempt by the Provisional IRA in the Brighton hotel bombing. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1984-10-12

  • Begins a year-long political battle against the National Union of Mineworkers during the miners' strike. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1984-03-06

  • Oversaw the deregulation of UK financial markets, known as the 'Big Bang'. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1986-10-27

  • Re-elected for a third term as Prime Minister. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1987-06-11

  • Resigns as Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party, succeeded by John Major. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1990-11-28

  • Retires from the House of Commons and is granted a life peerage as Baroness Thatcher, entering the House of Lords. (Source: Wikipedia)

    1992-06-26

  • Dies of a stroke at the Ritz Hotel in London at the age of 87. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2013-04-08

Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (née Roberts; 13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013), was a British stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century and the first woman to hold the office. As prime minister, she implemented policies that came to be known as Thatcherism. A Soviet journalist dubbed her the "Iron Lady", a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style. Thatcher studied chemistry at Somerville College, Oxford, and worked briefly as a research chemist before becoming a barrister. She was elected Member of Parliament for Finchley in 1959. Edward Heath appointed her Secretary of State for Education and Science in his 1970–1974 government. In 1975 she defeated Heath in the Conservative Party leadership election to become Leader of the Opposition and the first woman to lead a major British political party. On becoming prime minister after winning the 1979 general election, Thatcher introduced a series of economic policies intended to reverse high inflation and Britain's struggles in the wake of the Winter of Discontent and an oncoming recession. Her political philosophy and economic policies emphasised greater individual liberty, the privatisation of state-owned companies, and reducing the power and influence of trade unions. Her popularity in her first years in office waned amid the recession and rising unemployment. Victory in the 1982 Falklands War and the recovering economy brought a resurgence of support, resulting in the Conservative Party being returned to government in a landslide victory in 1983. She survived an assassination attempt by the Provisional IRA in the 1984 Brighton hotel bombing and achieved a political victory against the National Union of Mineworkers in the 1984–85 miners' strike. In 1986 Thatcher oversaw the deregulation of UK financial markets, leading to an economic boom, in what came to be known as the Big Bang. Thatcher was re-elected for a third term with another landslide in 1987, but her subsequent support for the Community Charge (also known as the "poll tax") was widely unpopular, and her increasingly Eurosceptic views on the European Community were not shared by others in her cabinet. She resigned as prime minister and party leader in 1990, after a challenge was launched to her leadership, and was succeeded by John Major, her Chancellor of the Exchequer. After retiring from the House of Commons in 1992, she was given a life peerage, which entitled her to sit in the House of Lords. In 2013 she died of a stroke at the Ritz Hotel, London, at the age of 87. A polarising figure in British politics, Thatcher is nonetheless viewed favourably in historical rankings and public opinion of British prime ministers. Her tenure constituted a realignment towards neoliberal policies in Britain; the complex legacy attributed to this shift continues to be debated into the 21st century.

Web Search Results
  • Margaret Thatcher - Wikipedia

    | | | --- | | | This article is part of a series about Margaret Thatcher | Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (née Roberts; 13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013), was a British stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party "Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)") from 1975 to 1990. She was the longest-serving British prime minister of the 20th century and the first woman to hold the office. As prime minister, she implemented policies that came to be known as Thatcherism. A Soviet journalist dubbed her the "Iron Lady", a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style.

  • Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady's Legacy

    For admirers, Baroness Thatcher will be revered for propelling an economically-floundering Britain back among the leaders of the industrial nations of the world. Critics, on the other hand, will continue to label her legacy as one known for ushering in an era of greed while weakening unions and instituting unpopular tax policies. Despite divisive sentiments toward the UK's first female head of state, Margaret Thatcher was one of the defining personalities of the 20th century. [...] For admirers, Baroness Thatcher will be revered for propelling an economically-floundering Britain back among the leaders of the industrial nations of the world. Critics, on the other hand, will continue to label her legacy as one known for ushering in an era of greed while weakening unions and instituting unpopular tax policies. Despite divisive sentiments toward the UK's first female head of state, Margaret Thatcher was one of the defining personalities of the 20th century. [...] Born October 1925 in Grantham, a small city south of London, Baroness Thatcher came from a modest background, famously taking pride in being known as a grocer's daughter. Her “rags to riches” saga began at Oxford studying chemistry while simultaneously participating in her true passion, politics. She gave her first political speech at the age of 20, and her political development and popularity continued to blossom throughout and after college. In 1975, Thatcher was elected leader of the Conservative Party when the organization was in opposition.

  • Margaret Thatcher: The Authorised Biography

    This third and climactic volume of Charles Moore's authorised biography gives the definitive account of Margaret Thatcher's third term in office and her life after it. Three stories run through the whole book. The first is Mrs Thatcher's dominance of her government in almost every domestic field, but also her growing intolerance of dissent, the increasing alienation of her most senior ministers over Europe and the fatal corrosion which followed. The second is her commanding presence on the world stage (including relations with Reagan, Gorbachev, Bush, Kohl and Mandela), her role in the ending of the Cold War, her central position in the response to the invasion of Kuwait, and her increasing isolation as America's priorities in Europe changed. The third is how she, a woman, coped and led [...] With unparalleled authority and dramatic detail, Charles Moore's definitive biography of Margaret Thatcher, now published in a single volume to mark the centenary of her birth, presents the whole history of the woman who transformed Britain and the world. With unique access to Thatcher’s private and governmental papers and extensive interviews with her, her family, and colleagues, Moore gives readers an unsurpassed portrait of her early years, her rise to power and her revolutionary eleven and a half years as Prime Minister. He guides us through her economic battles to her zenith at the Falklands crisis, her extraordinary three election victories and her dramatic final days in office. [...] In June 1983 Margaret Thatcher won the biggest increase in a government's Parliamentary majority in British electoral history. Over the next four years, as Charles Moore relates in this central volume of his uniquely authoritative biography, Britain's first woman prime minister changed the course of her country's history and that of the world, often by sheer force of will.

  • Margaret Thatcher (Volume 1): The Authorized Biography Volume One Not For Turning: Moore, Charles: 9780713992823: Amazon.com: Books

    Not For Turning is the first volume of Charles Moore's authorized biography of Margaret Thatcher, the longest serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century and one of the most influential political figures of the postwar era. Charles Moore's biography of Margaret Thatcher, published after her death on 8 April 2013, immediately supersedes all earlier books written about her. At the moment when she becomes a historical figure, this book also makes her into a three dimensional one for the first time. It gives unparalleled insight into her early life and formation, especially through her extensive correspondence with her sister, which Moore is the first author to draw on. It recreates brilliantly the atmosphere of British politics as she was making her way, and takes her up to what was [...] Image 116 David I. Williams _5 out of 5 stars_ ##### Excellent First VolumeReviewed in the United States on June 23, 2013 Format: KindleVerified Purchase Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Margaret Thatcher was an amazing political leader. In her own lifetime she was both admired and reviled by many. Even on the occasion of her death the responses could be quite loud. Margaret Thatcher: From Grantham to the Falklands is the first volume in a two volume biography of the Iron Lady by author Charles Moore. Moore spent many years working on this project. Lady Thatcher gave him access to her own material and encouraged others to talk to him. The only stipulation was that the book be published after her death. [...] 3. Image 86: The Iron Lady: A Biography of Margaret ThatcherThe Iron Lady: A Biography of Margaret ThatcherHugo Young _5.0 out of 5 stars_ 10 Hardcover $34.64$34.64 Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 3 FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon Only 1 left in stock - order soon. 4. Image 87: Margaret Thatcher: The AutobiographyMargaret Thatcher: The AutobiographyMargaret Thatcher _4.4 out of 5 stars_ 807 Paperback $12.90$12.90 Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 3 FREE Shipping on orders over $35 shipped by Amazon

  • Thatcher Becomes First Woman to Serve as British Prime Minister | Politics and Government | Research Starters | EBSCO Research

    Margaret Thatcher made history by becoming the first woman to serve as British Prime Minister on May 4, 1979. Her rise to this unprecedented position involved first winning the leadership of the Conservative Party and then leading it to an electoral victory. Before her premiership, Thatcher was only the second female cabinet minister in Tory history, showcasing her trailblazing role in a male-dominated political landscape. Despite her significant achievement, Thatcher was known for her scorn toward feminist movements and did not actively promote the advancement of women in politics during her time in office. Her political philosophy emphasized personal effort over government support, which influenced her cabinet appointments, predominantly filled by men. Thatcher's leadership style and [...] Mayer, Allan J. Madam Prime Minister: Margaret Thatcher and Her Rise to Power. New York: Newsweek Books, 1979. Journalistic account provides good background on Thatcher during the period before her conservatism became controversial. Sherman, Alfred. Paradoxes of Power: Reflections on the Thatcher Interlude. Charlottesville, Va.: Imprint Academic, 2005. Examines the factors that led to Thatcher’s rise to prime minister. Includes bibliography and index. Thatcher, Margaret. The Collected Speeches of Margaret Thatcher. Edited by Robin Harris. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. Collection includes campaign speeches, major addresses Thatcher made as prime minister, and lectures she delivered following her tenure in office. Provides information on Thatcher’s views on a wide array of topics. [...] Mayer, Allan J. Madam Prime Minister: Margaret Thatcher and Her Rise to Power. New York: Newsweek Books, 1979. Journalistic account provides good background on Thatcher during the period before her conservatism became controversial. Sherman, Alfred. Paradoxes of Power: Reflections on the Thatcher Interlude. Charlottesville, Va.: Imprint Academic, 2005. Examines the factors that led to Thatcher’s rise to prime minister. Includes bibliography and index. Thatcher, Margaret. The Collected Speeches of Margaret Thatcher. Edited by Robin Harris. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. Collection includes campaign speeches, major addresses Thatcher made as prime minister, and lectures she delivered following her tenure in office. Provides information on Thatcher’s views on a wide array of topics.

Location Data

Margaret Thatcher, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London, England, SW3 4TE, United Kingdom

memorial

Coordinates: 51.4890368, -0.1562004

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