(RxWiki News) Margaret Thatcher, the first and only female British Prime Minister, has died after suffering a stroke. She was 87.
Nicknamed by the Soviets the “Iron Lady,” Thatcher was a tough leader who confronted tough issues during her tenure as head of state from 1975 to 1990.
Her country went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands and won. She also cut a number of government programs to business, which led to unemployment reaching 3 million by 1986.
She introduced an unpopular tax designed to replace property taxes that led to rioting in the streets in 1990. This move led to her ouster by her own Conservative Party.
Thatcher believed in the rights of the individual over the rights of the state. With her conservative views, she became close with President Ronald Reagan.
She said in a pre-recorded statement at President Reagan’s funeral that he was "a great president, a great American, and a great man...And I have lost a dear friend."
After retreating from public life in 2002, Thatcher suffered a number of health issues, including several strokes. She also developed dementia.
A cinematic biography of her life – "The Iron Lady" – starred Meryl Streep.
Her funeral will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral, with full military honors, followed by a private cremation.
