Margaret Thatcher
Born 1925 · Age 100
British stateswoman; Leader of the Conservative Party (1975–1990) and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979–1990). First woman to hold the office. Architect of 'Thatcherism'.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Grantham, Lincolnshire
Margaret Hilda Roberts born to Alfred Roberts and Beatrice Ethel Stephenson in Grantham.
Family shelters Jewish refugee
Roberts family briefly gave sanctuary to a teenage Jewish girl who escaped Nazi Germany; Margaret and sister Muriel helped with funds.
Head girl at Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School
Served as head girl (1942–43); active in piano, hockey and other extracurriculars.
Matriculated at Somerville College, Oxford (Chemistry)
Entered Somerville College, Oxford to study chemistry under Dorothy Hodgkin; later undertook classified honours with supervised research.
President, Oxford University Conservative Association
Elected president of the student Conservative association, early political leadership role.
Graduated BA (Chemistry), Somerville College, Oxford
Graduated with a second-class honours degree in chemistry (BA, later MA conferred in 1950).
Joined British Xylonite (BX Plastics) as research chemist
First post-university role as a research chemist; moved to Colchester.
Rejected by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI)
Applied for a job at ICI but rejected by personnel as 'headstrong, obstinate and dangerously self-opinionated'.
Met Denis Thatcher
Met Denis Thatcher at a dinner after adoption as Dartford candidate; he later supported her studies.
Selected as Conservative candidate for Dartford
Local Conservative association asked her to apply; selected in January 1950 campaign preparations after being added to approved list.
Contested Dartford in 1950 general election (lost)
Youngest and only female Conservative candidate nationally in 1950; reduced Labour majority substantially but lost to Norman Dodds.
Published sole scientific paper
Co-authored 'The saponification of α-monostearin in a monolayer' in Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (September 1951).
Married Denis Thatcher
Married Denis Thatcher (a divorcé and successful businessman) at Wesley's Chapel; marriage provided financial security and partnership.
Qualified as a barrister (called to the bar)
Completed legal training at the Inns of Court School of Law and qualified as a barrister, specializing in tax law.
Birth of twins Mark and Carol Thatcher
Gave birth to twins (prematurely, by Caesarean section).
Elected Member of Parliament for Finchley
Won the safe Conservative seat of Finchley and entered the House of Commons.
Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (private member's bill)
Used lucky ballot to introduce a private member's bill which became law, requiring local authority meetings to be held in public.
Appointed Parliamentary Secretary to Ministry for Pensions
Promoted to frontbench by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan; youngest woman to receive such a post at the time.
Selected for International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) / Entered Shadow Cabinet
Attended a six-week US exchange (IVLP) and was appointed to the Conservative Shadow Cabinet as fuel and power spokeswoman.
First visit to the Soviet Union
Visited USSR as Opposition transport spokeswoman, gaining experience in foreign affairs.
Appointed Secretary of State for Education and Science
Entered Edward Heath's Cabinet following 1970 Conservative election victory; served 20 June 1970 – 4 March 1974.
Abolition of free school milk for ages 7–11
Withdrew free milk for older primary pupils, a controversial policy that led to the 'milk snatcher' label.
Conservatives lose 1974 elections; leaves Cabinet
Following Heath government's defeat in February and October 1974, Thatcher returned to Opposition frontbench roles.
Elected Leader of the Conservative Party
Defeated Edward Heath to become the first woman to lead a major UK political party (11 Feb 1975).
'Iron Lady' nickname coined
A Soviet journalist dubbed her the 'Iron Lady' after a speech condemning Soviet communism; the moniker became iconic.
Became Prime Minister of the UK
Following Conservative victory, sworn in as Prime Minister on 4 May 1979 — first woman to hold the office.
Housing Act 1980 (Right to Buy) enacted
Introduced the Right to Buy scheme allowing council house tenants to purchase homes; major social policy and privatisation milestone.
Early trade-union reforms enacted
Series of laws passed to curb union power (e.g., banning closed shops, requiring ballots before strike action).
Declared 'Victorian values' (rhetorical milestone)
Used phrase 'Victorian values' (1981 speech referenced in sources as 1981) as rhetorical underpinning for social policy.
Argentina invades the Falkland Islands
Argentine invasion triggered the Falklands War; Thatcher ordered dispatch of a Task Force.
Falklands War victory (Port Stanley recaptured)
British forces recaptured Port Stanley; Argentina surrendered (14 June 1982). Boosted Thatcher's popularity ahead of 1983 election.
Landslide re-election (1983 general election)
Won a second term with a parliamentary majority of 144 seats (June 1983), aided by Falklands victory and Labour divisions.
National Union of Mineworkers strike begins
Nationwide miners' strike (1984–85) began in response to proposed pit closures; government ultimately prevailed.
Survived Brighton hotel bombing (IRA assassination attempt)
Provisional IRA bombed Grand Hotel during Conservative Party conference; Thatcher escaped unhurt; five killed.
Anglo-Irish Agreement signed
Agreement with Republic of Ireland (November 1985) to improve co-operation and security on Northern Ireland issues.
Big Bang: Deregulation of UK financial markets
Oversaw October 1986 deregulation of London financial markets (the 'Big Bang'), catalysing financial services boom.
Westland affair and Michael Heseltine resignation
Government controversy over Westland helicopter company culminated in resignations (Michael Heseltine resigned Jan 1986); strained leadership.
Re-elected for a third term (1987)
Won a third consecutive general election with a majority of 101 seats (11 June 1987).
Bruges speech launching Eurosceptic stance
Delivered Bruges speech (September 1988) criticizing federalist tendencies in Europe and signalling growing cabinet divisions.
Nigel Lawson resigns as Chancellor (currency management dispute)
Chancellor Nigel Lawson resigned (Oct 1989) amid disputes over ERM and currency policy; highlighted Euro tensions in government.
Community Charge (poll tax) introduced
Introduced the unpopular Community Charge on 1 April 1990; sparked national protests and riots damaging political standing.
Geoffrey Howe resigns over Europe
Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe resigned 1 Nov 1990 in protest over Thatcher's European stance; resignation speech precipitated leadership challenge.
Announced resignation as Conservative leader (and PM)
Following internal party rebellion and a leadership contest, she announced her intention to step down on 22 Nov 1990.
Left 10 Downing Street (resignation as Prime Minister)
Formally resigned and was succeeded by John Major on 28 November 1990.
Retired from House of Commons (MP for Finchley leaves Commons)
Left the Commons on 16 March 1992 after over three decades as Finchley's MP (1959–1992).
Created Life Peer as Baroness Thatcher
Given a life peerage as Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven on 30 June 1992, entitling her to sit in House of Lords.
Published The Downing Street Years
First volume of memoirs, covering her premiership; a best-seller and significant source of post-office income.
Published The Path to Power
Second memoir volume (1995) and continued to earn income from book sales, speaking and consultancy.
Appointed Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter
Received the Order of the Garter in 1995, the highest order of chivalry in the UK.
Delivered inaugural Thatcher Lecture (English-Speaking Union)
Delivered 'The Language of Liberty' as inaugural speaker for the Thatcher Lecture Series in New York (7 Dec 1999).
Published Statecraft
Published a book on international relations (2002), continuing to influence debate and earn royalties.
Retired from public speaking due to health (series of minor strokes)
Doctors advised Thatcher to stop public speaking after suffering several minor strokes; announced retirement from public speaking in March 2002.
Death of husband Denis Thatcher
Denis Thatcher died aged 88 on 26 June 2003; his estate and their joint assets affected Margaret's financial position.
80th birthday celebration with Queen and senior figures
Marked her 80th birthday at a party attended by the Queen and Prince Philip and many dignitaries (13 Oct 2005).
Hospitalised after becoming ill at House of Lords dinner
Admitted to hospital 7 March 2008 after falling ill; released the next day.
Suffered broken arm from a fall
Suffered a broken arm in a fall on 12 June 2009 and underwent surgery.
Returned to Downing Street for portrait unveiling
Visited No. 10 Downing Street for the official unveiling of her portrait on 23 November 2009.
Met Prime Minister David Cameron at Downing Street
David Cameron invited Thatcher to Downing Street for a private meeting (8 June 2010).
Film 'The Iron Lady' released (portrayal boosts legacy)
Biopic starring Meryl Streep premiered (2011/early 2012 release), renewing public debate about her legacy.
Featured in major film release (US release date)
US release of The Iron Lady (6 Jan 2012) starring Meryl Streep, receiving awards and media attention.
Died after suffering a stroke at the Ritz Hotel, London
Died on 8 April 2013 aged 87; received a ceremonial funeral with full military honours at St Paul's Cathedral nine days later.
Ceremonial funeral at St Paul's Cathedral
State/ceremonial funeral with full military honours and national attention held nine days after her death.
Key Achievement Ages
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