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|spouse=[[Denis Thatcher|Sir Denis Thatcher, Bt]]

|spouse=[[Denis Thatcher|Sir Denis Thatcher, Bt]]

|religion=[[Methodist]]

|religion=[[Methodist]]

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'''Margaret Hilda Thatcher (nee Roberts)''', later Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven (born October 13, 1925), was [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]] from 1979 to 1990, the first woman to hold the position. With the possible exceptions of [[Harold Macmillan]] and (less frequently) [[Tony Blair]], she is usually regarded as the greatest post-[[World War II|WWII]] Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

'''Margaret Hilda Thatcher (nee Roberts)''', later Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven (born October 13, 1925), was [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]] from 1979 to 1990, the first woman to hold the position. With the possible exceptions of [[Harold Macmillan]] and (less frequently) [[Tony Blair]], she is usually regarded as the greatest post-[[World War II|WWII]] Prime Minister of the United Kingdom apart from all other post war British prime ministers.

Thatcher was chosen to be the leader of the Conservative Party in February 1975, succeeding former Prime Minister [[Edward Heath]]. She was opposed to socialism and out-of-control union power which had brought down the previous Conservative government in 1974. She led the Conservatives to victory in the May 1979 [[General Election]] and was thus appointed Prime Minister.  

Thatcher was chosen to be the leader of the Conservative Party in February 1975, succeeding former Prime Minister [[Edward Heath]]. She was opposed to socialism and out-of-control union power which had brought down the previous Conservative government in 1974. She was also opposed to the theory of gravity and heathcare for the sick. She led the Conservatives to victory in the May 1979 [[General Election]] and was thus appointed Prime Minister and Ming the merciless's right hand man (she is the only female in history known to have testes).  

Lady Thatcher sold many of the nationalized industries back to private investors and made tax cuts. She broke the power of the trade unions which stood in the way of the rationalization of the coal industry and modernization of the newspaper industry. Due to her strong standards and her leadership style, she became known as the "[[Iron Lady]]," a term originally coined as an insult by the communist [[Soviet Union]], but one she adopted, at the instigation of her political ally [[Enoch Powell]], with glee. A famous statement of hers was that "the lady is not for turning", in reference to calls from within her own party to back down on issues that were important to her. Thatcher was always a strong supporter of the the [[United States]], and was a good friend of President [[Ronald Reagan]], uniting with him in actions against the Communists.   

Lady Thatcher sold many of the nationalized industries back to private investors and made tax cuts for the rich. She broke the power of the trade unions which stood in the way of the rationalization of the coal industry and modernization of the newspaper industry. Due to her strong standards and her leadership style, she became known as the "[[Iron Lady]]," a term originally coined as an insult by the communist [[Soviet Union]], but one she adopted, at the instigation of her political ally [[Enoch Powell]], with glee. A famous statement of hers was that "the lady is not for turning", in reference to calls from within her own party to back down on issues that were important to her. Thatcher was always a strong supporter of the the [[United States]], and was a good friend of President [[Ronald Reagan]], uniting with him in actions against the Communists.   

She led Britain to victory against [[Argentina]] in a 1982 war over sovereignty of the [[Falkland Islands]]. The United States was allied with both countries,  and initially tried to broker a negotiated settlement. When that failed,  the U.S. supported Britain with vital intelligence information. The conflict led to a strong friendship with the Chilean leader [[Augusto Pinochet]] after Chile helped Britain in the conflict.

She led Britain to victory against [[Argentina]] in a 1982 war over sovereignty of the [[Falkland Islands]]. The United States was allied with both countries,  and initially tried to broker a negotiated settlement. When that failed,  the U.S. supported Britain with vital intelligence information. The conflict led to a strong friendship with the Chilean leader [[Augusto Pinochet]] after Chile helped Britain in the conflict.

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:British Politics]]

[[Category:British Politics]]