Margaret Hilda Roberts was born on 13 October 1925 in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Her father, Alfred Roberts, ran a grocery shop and served in local government. She attended Grantham grammar school before studying chemistry at Oxford University.

She worked as a chemist, qualified as a barrister and was elected Conservative MP for Finchley in 1959. She became education secretary in 1970 and defeated Edward Heath to become Conservative leader in 1975.

After the 1979 general election, Thatcher became Britain’s first woman prime minister. Her government privatised state-owned businesses, restricted trade union powers and introduced the Right to Buy for council tenants. She led Britain during the Falklands War in 1982. Her economic policies drew support from those who favoured a smaller state and opposition from those affected by unemployment and industrial decline.

She remained prime minister until November 1990, the longest tenure of any British prime minister in the twentieth century. She resigned following a challenge to her leadership.