Thatcher, Margaret (1925–)

Margaret Thatcher is considered by many to be one of the most influential women in politics. She gained a strong reputation in England and worldwide as the highest regarded politician in recent British history. She is the only female British prime minister and the longestserving British prime minister in the 20th century.

Margaret Thatcher was born in Grantham, England, as Margaret Hilda Roberts. Her parents, Alfred and Beatrice Roberts, were small business owners. Thatcher studied chemistry and law at Somerville College, Oxford University, and graduated in 1947. While at Oxford University she was elected president of the student Conservative Association.

In 1950, while in her mid-20s, she ran as a Conservative candidate for a Labour Party parliamentary seat. She was not elected, but she did gain national attention for being the youngest female Conservative candidate ever. As she was starting to gain national attention pursuing her career, she also started her family. In 1951 she married Denis Thatcher and, in 1953, gave birth to a set of twins.

Unlike many women of that time, having a family did not stop her from continuing her career in politics. Margaret Thatcher entered Parliament in 1959 at age 34. In 1970 at age 44, she was appointed to the cabinet as education secretary. Shortly after her appointment she was forced to cut the education budget. One of the cuts she made abolished free milk for school children. That incident gave her a rather unflattering nickname: “Margaret Thatcher, Milk Snatcher.” Thatcher gained another nickname on the night of January 19, 1976, when she gave a speech that attacked the Soviet Union; shortly afterward, she became known as the “Iron Lady.” Thatcher appeared to like the name and, shortly after, it became part of her political image.

In 1979, after serving for 20 years in Parliament, Thatcher was elected British prime minister—the first and only female ever elected to this post. She continued to serve as prime minister for 11 years. Thatcher resigned as prime minister on November 28, 1990, after many in her cabinet expressed doubt that she could be elected for a fourth term, leaving her no choice but to resign.

During Thatcher's 11 years as prime minister, her leadership style was questioned often and by many. Thatcher's actions were considered controversial by most. Although Thatcher's leadership style is [Page 789]controversial, her importance is not questioned. Critics along with supporters agree that the Thatcher years are historically important and have great value. During her time in the office, she helped grow the economy in the United Kingdom. She was a co-founder with U.S. President Ronald Reagan of a school of “conservative conviction politics.”

Leaving the office of prime minister did not eliminate her influence. After her resignation, Thatcher continued to travel the world as a lecturer. She also wrote two best-selling books, The Downing Street Years (1993) and The Path to Power (1995).