Margaret Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister of Great Britain when she was elevated to that office in 1979. Her
Conservative Party defeated the Labour party thus allowing the daughter of a green grocer to further her conservative political
philosophy. An ardent believer in lessening government control over Britain's economy, Thatcher began her tenure facing high
inflation and unemployment. Until her resignation in 1990, "Maggie" was a well known world figure, whether adored or
"disliked" and a personality of notice in her own country.
It has been said of P.M. Thatcher that she does not have discussions, just states her opinions. She was the longest continually
serving British Prime Minister of this century. Margaret Thatcher changed the landscape of politics in Great Britain by also
re-inventing businesses and the economy. She was quite popular for winning the Falklands War by not compromising her
position. Her micro-management tactics and her brusque argumentativeness won her much criticism, though.
Margaret Thatcher herself said she identified more with being a Prime Minister than a woman. This statement coming from a
female who was a mother of twins, Mark and Carol, and a wife to a successful businessman, plus being always impeccably
attired and coiffured, appears to sum up this enigmatic personality.
Quite a lady, this Maggie, and one full of contradictions!
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