background: Born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, she studied chemistry at Somerville College, Oxford before becoming a barrister.
Became the local mp for Finchley during 1959 general election.
Edward Heath appointed Thatcher Secretary as the State for Education and Science in his 1970 government.
1975 became Leader of the Conservative Party, the first woman to head a major UK political party.
Following the 1979 general election she became Britain's first female Prime Minister.
She took a hard line against trade unions, and her tough rhetoric in opposition to the Soviet Union earned her the nickname of the "Iron Lady".
was re-elected for a third term in 1987, but her poll tax was widely unpopular and her views on the European Community were not favoured by rest of the Cabinet.
has a life peerage as Baroness Thatcher, which means that she is allowed to sit in the house of Lords.
Margaret Thatcher