1925-

Margaret Hilda Thatcher served as prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. She was the first woman ever to hold the office. Thatcher became prime minister after the Conservative Party -- which she headed -- defeated the Labour Party in parliamentary elections in 1979. She remained in office after her party again won parliamentary elections in 1983 and 1987. A strong opponent of the socialist policies of the Labour Party, Thatcher worked to reduce government control over the British economy. Under Thatcher, the government sold its interests in some industries to private citizens and businesses. The country experienced economic expansion. Thatcher resigned as prime minister and Conservative Party leader in November 1990, after losing the support of the party. She remained in the House of Commons until 1992. In that year, Thatcher was made a baroness for her service as prime minister. She also became a member of the House of Lords.

Margaret Hilda Roberts was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. She married Denis Thatcher, a business executive, in 1951. She received a chemistry degree from Oxford University. She also studied law. In 1953, she became an attorney specializing in tax law. Thatcher was elected to the House of Commons in 1959. She was secretary of state for education and science from 1970 to 1974. In 1975, she became the first woman to head a British political party, when she was elected leader of the Conservative Party.

Contributor: Richard Rose, D.Phil., Director, Centre for the Study of Public Policy, Univ. of Strathclyde.