ThewomanIrespectmost
MargaretThatcher
born:13-10-1925
birthplace:Lincolnshire
ThedaughterofabusinessmanandmayorofGrantham,shewaseducatedatthelocalgrammarschool,andatOxford,wheresheobtainedadegreeinchemistry,andwaspresidentoftheConservativeAssociation.
Upongraduationsheworkedforfouryearsasaresearchchemist.Shethenqualifiedasabarrister,specialisingintaxationlaw,in1954.
AsMissMargaretRoberts,shestoodtwiceinparliamentaryelectionsfortheConservativeParty,beforebeingelected(afterhermarriage)totheHouseofCommons,in1959,asMemberforFinchley.
Thatcher'sfirstministerialappointmentcamein1961,andshequicklybecameafront-benchspokesmanforherparty,andmemberoftheShadowCabinet.
WhentheConservativesreturnedtoofficeinJune1970,shewasappointedsecretaryofstateforeducationandscience,becomingfamousas"Thatcher,milksnatcher",afterherabolitionoftheuniversalfreeschoolmilkscheme.
AftertheConservativeslostpowerin1974,shewasappointedtotheShadowCabinet,andwaselectedleaderoftheConservativePartyin1975.
InMay1979shebecameBritain'sfirstfemaleprimeminister,aftertheConservativesregainedpowerfromLabour.
Inpower,shewasbestknownforherdestructionofBritain’straditionalindustries,throughherattacksonlabourorganisationssuchastheminer’sunion,andforthemassiveprivatisationofsocialhousingandpublictransport.Alsoforherright-wing,pro-corporatealliancewithUSPresidentRegan.
SheresignedonNovember28,1990,afterherdisastrousattempttoimplementafixedratelocaltax(PollTax),andtodisenfranchisethosewhodidnotpayit,ledtohugepopularprotest,anddisapprovalfromwithinherparty.
In1992,shewasappointedtotheHouseofLords,asBaronessThatcherofKesteven.
Inthelastfewyearsshehasbeenoccupiedbywritingandbylucrativespeakingengagements.Herincreasinglypoorhealthhasforcedhertocutbackonpublicengagementsmorerecently.