Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Hilda Thatcher (years of life October 13, 1925 - April 8, 2013) is a legendary figure, the first woman politician in history to become the first Prime Minister in the European space.

The “iron lady”, who received such a nickname due to her strong-willed character and tough management methods, is remembered in different ways. But no matter how severely condemned by her contemporaries, Thatcher had to make decisions for the fate of Great Britain in difficult times (crisis, war, the fall of the Berlin Wall, etc.).

Childhood and youth

The biography of the now famous baroness is of extraordinary interest among people. For 12 years, Thatcher held such a high position in the country and turned out to be the longest Prime Minister in the history of the twentieth century. Childhood Margaret Roberts (maiden name) passed in the city of Grantham. There, Father Alfred Roberts ran grocers. After the label "daughter of a merchant" repeatedly interfered with her political career, but also helped to stand out among the crowd of officials.

In addition to Margaret, another girl named Muriel, the older sister, was brought up in the family. Alfred Roberts participated in local politics, helped in resolving issues of the religious community, was a member of the municipal council.

The girls in the Roberts family were brought up in strictness, which could not but affect their character, but their father was always their ideal. He was distinguished by deep knowledge in the field of economics and politics, read a lot and instilled a love of books in his children, visiting the local library with them. He took young Margaret to council meetings, which allowed her to learn eloquence and theatrics there.

Initially, the future Prime Minister studied at the city school on Huntingtower Road, but for her good academic performance she was awarded a scholarship to a special School for girls. Teachers considered the young lady a gifted, diligent student, but observed in her an ardent, arrogant disposition and a sharp tongue. Therefore, little Thatcher received a cheerful school nickname among her peers - "Maggie Toothpick".Margaret devoted a lot of time to her studies, but at the same time she managed to play the piano and attend poetry courses. The girl loved to play field hockey and excelled in race walking.

In her final year of school, Maggie applied to Somerville College, Oxford University. Luck smiled at the girl, and she was admitted to the Faculty of Chemistry on a scholarship (1943). During her student years, Margaret worked in a research laboratory, and after that she also received a law degree at Oxford University.

Carier start

Margaret showed interest in politics for a long time. In 1946, she was chairman of the University's Conservative Party Association. After graduating from high school, a young motivated girl moved to Colchester and joined the local association here.

Margaret kept in touch with friends from Oxford, one of them is the chairman of the Dartford Association in Kent. The team was looking for profitable candidates for the election, and Margaret received an offer to become one of the contenders. In January 1951, Thatcher received electoral status.

In honor of such an event, a dinner party was organized, at which Margaret Roberts met a man who radically changed the fate of a girl - businessman Denis Thatcher. The self-confident guy immediately drew attention to such an interesting person named Margaret and soon offered the girl a hand and a heart, realizing that she would not work as a housewife wife.

During the run-up to the election, the Iron Lady lived in Dartford and worked for a supplement research company.

Elections 1950-1951 to Parliament left an imprint on Margaret's future political career. The press immediately drew attention to the young representative and the only lady among the participants.

Political career

Before the post of prime minister, she had to go through a series of tests, try her hand at various positions. In 1955, a woman became a candidate for the Conservative Party, and in 1959 she won, becoming a member of the House of Commons.

The first public speech sounded like a challenge to the local authorities. Margaret demanded changes in the Laws, in the established principles of the Conservative Party.

Soon "Maggie Toothpick" gets the position of the Parliamentary Undersecretary of Pensions, but after losing the game, he is engaged in housing construction.

Two years later, Margaret reveals herself by criticizing the policies of the Labor Party, convincing the people and rulers that government control of prices and incomes is among the destructive methods for the UK economy. The woman caused resentment and shock among male officials, calling for voting for the legalization of abortion, the relaxation of certain points of divorce laws, tax cuts, the closure of unprofitable enterprises, and other harsh statements.

Thatcher admired the methods of US government, their principles and unique political philosophy. When, in 1967, she took a post at the US Embassy in London, new opportunities opened up for the future Prime Minister. Margaret met outstanding people, political players on the world stage and received another promotion.

In 1970, the Conservative Party again becomes "at the helm". As Minister of Education and Science, Thatcher had to learn some life lessons. The lady with an iron grip directed her efforts to save the state budget and became negatively famous among citizens by abolishing the rules on issuing milk to schoolchildren.

The media literally tore apart Thatcher, but this only strengthened her character. During this period, thanks to the decisions of Margaret, the closure of literacy schools began. And instead of them, a system of unified secondary education was introduced.

British Prime Minister

Despite her husband's health problems (cancer), Margaret Thatcher continues to build her own career, not devoting time to her family. She has a new idea - to become the head of the Conservative Party, which lost in the 1974 elections. The woman promised that the changes in the party statutes would be radical and successful, and in 1979 she stood on a pedestal, taking the post of Prime Minister of Great Britain.

The "Iron Lady" got control in difficult years for the country: the economic crisis, inflation, strikes, unemployment, military operations in the Falkland Islands. The process of reform was inevitable, and Thatcher had to make super tough decisions in order to achieve the prosperity of the state.

The Prime Minister made a profitable bet by establishing relations with the British colonies in Africa, and strengthened the country's position in the region.

In 1984, an assassination attempt was organized by the Irish Republican Army on a powerful politician. As a result, five innocent people died, and Thatcher and her husband managed to escape.

Resignation

Thatcher made a significant contribution to the history of the country, holding the post of Prime Minister, but at the same time she had a low level of trust and support of the British. However, Thatcher did not care much about ratings, popular polls. The "Iron Lady" also ignored the positions and opinions of her party colleagues.

This approach to people led to disagreements in the team, which subsequently wished to oust Margaret from her position. And in 1990, the majestic lady was forced to retire. In her place came a new man - John Major.

Two more years after the resignation, Thatcher was a member of the House, but after that she decided to leave Parliament altogether. She was then 66 years old.

A woman with a big name found herself in writing, published several books, memoirs, but it was difficult to call her a calm pensioner. Margaret never hid her convictions, continued to criticize the authorities, the government and accuse some politicians of inaction.

Personal life

Margaret married in 1951. Marriage with Denis Thatcher was considered prudent by acquaintances, because the businessman helped her in promoting her career as a politician. But, despite the envious statements of people, the couple lived a long family life, raising two children in marriage - Mark and Carol.

Denis understood the costs of the profession and remained a good friend and faithful husband to Margaret. In 2003, the woman buried her husband, after which her health deteriorated.

In 2012, the former leader of the Conservative Party faced a serious illness, underwent surgery, her health deteriorated every day. Margaret periodically visited a psychiatrist, because. Before her death, she suffered from hallucinations and insanity.

On April 8, 2013, the great political personality died. She was buried next to her husband in a cemetery in the city of Chelsea.