The Iron Lady: Margaret Thatcher Margaret Thatcher, also known as "The Iron Lady", was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She held office from 1979 to 1990 and was known for her strong leadership and conservative political views. Thatcher was born in Grantham, England in 1925. She attended Oxford University, where she studied chemistry, and later qualified as a barrister. She entered politics in 1950 and was elected to the House of Commons in 1959 as a member of the Conservative Party. Thatcher became leader of the Conservative Party in 1975 and was elected Prime Minister in 1979. Her leadership style was tough and uncompromising, earning her the nickname "The Iron Lady". She was famous for her forthright speeches, particularly in times of crisis, and for her determination to push through controversial policies. One of Thatcher's most significant policies was her anti-union legislation, which aimed to limit the power of trade unions. She also pursued a policy of privatisation, selling off state-owned industries and utilities such as British Telecom, British Gas and British Airways. These policies were controversial and caused significant social upheaval, particularly in the northern regions of England and in Scotland. Thatcher's foreign policy was also characterised by firmness and strength. She played a key role in the negotiations that led to the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. She also led Britain to victory in the Falklands War in 1982. Despite her successes, Thatcher's time as Prime Minister was also marked by controversy and criticism. Her policies caused significant unemployment, particularly in the north of England, and her handling of the poll tax riots in 1990 was widely criticised. Thatcher resigned as Prime Minister in 1990, having served for over 11 years. She was a trailblazer for women in politics and remains a divisive figure to this day. Her legacy is still debated, with some hailing her as a visionary leader and others criticising her for the social and economic upheaval caused by her policies. In conclusion, Margaret Thatcher was a figure of great importance in British politics. Her determination, strength and controversial policies made her one of the most significant Prime Ministers of the 20th century. Whilst her legacy remains controversial, she will always be remembered as "The Iron Lady".