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Former British PM Margaret Thatcher Dies at 87

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 Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was known for her personal and political toughnessThe only woman to ever assume the position of British prime minister has died at the age of 87. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, also known as “The Iron Lady” was a towering figure in postwar British and world politics. On Monday, April 8, she suffered a stroke according to her spokeswoman and died at the Ritz Hotel in London.

From 1975 to 1990, Thatcher served as leader of the Conservative Party and defined her legacy as a leader of both personal and political toughness. She retired from public life after a stroke in 2002 and suffered several strokes after that.

Only six years before winning her nation’s highest elective office, Thatcher declared in a television interview: “I don’t think there will be a woman prime minister in my lifetime.” During her years as prime minister of Britain, she emphasized moral absolutism, nationalism, and the rights of the individual versus those of the state – – famously declaring “There is no such thing as society” in 1987.

The media in the former Soviet Union dubbed Thatcher with the sobriquet “Iron Lady” after a 1976 speech declaring that “the Russians are bent on world dominance.” Thatcher later enjoyed a close working relationship with President Ronald Reagan, with whom she shared similar conservative views.

Shortly before Soviet Communist reformer Mikhail Gorbachev came to power, Thatcher played a leading role in ending the conflict by giving her imprimatur to him. In December of 1984, she declared, “I like Mr. Gorbachev. We can do business together.” Having been right about Gorbachev, Thatcher came down on the wrong side of history after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, arguing against the reunification of East and West Germany. In January of 1990, she insisted that allowing the countries created in the aftermath of World War II to merge would be destabilizing to the European status quo, and East Germany was not ready to become part of Western Europe.

Born in October of 1925 in Grantham, a small eastern England market town, Thatcher came from a modest background, as her father was a grocer. She studied chemistry at Oxford, but was involved in politics from a young age, giving her first political speech at 20, according to her official biography.

She was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 1975, when the party was in opposition.

She made history four years later, becoming prime minister when the Conservatives won the elections of 1979, the first of three election victories to which she led her party.

As British leader, Thatcher took a firm stance with the European Community – – the forerunner of the European Union – – demanding a rebate of money London contributed to Brussels.

Her positions on other issues, both domestic and foreign, were just as firm, and in one of her most famous phrases, she declared at a Conservative Party conference that she had no intention of changing her mind.

“To those waiting with bated breath for that favorite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say: ‘You turn if you want to. The lady’s not for turning,’” she declared, to cheers from party members.

The United Kingdom fought a short, sharp war against Argentina over the Falklands Islands under Thatcher in 1982, responding with force when Buenos Aires laid claim to the islands. Announcing that Britain had recaptured South Georgia Island from Argentina, Thatcher appealed to nationalist sentiments, advising the press: “Just rejoice at the news and congratulate our forces.”

A journalist shouted a question at her as she turned to go back into 10 Downing Street: “Are we going to war with Argentina, Mrs. Thatcher?” She paused for an instant, then offered a single word: “Rejoice.”

Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni spoke in honor of the late former British PM Margaret Thatcher. “She led Britain by the principles she believed in. Despite our differences on ideology, her impressive leadership in a masculine political environment is truly admirable,” she said.

“I mourn for the passing of Baroness Thatcher, a great leader. A woman of principles, determination, confidence and power. A great woman,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Margaret Thatcher was a true friend of Israel and the Jewish Nation. She inspired a generation a political leaders. I send my heartfelt condolences to her family, to the British government and the United Kingdom,” he added.

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