Margaret Thatcher, Britain’s First Female Prime Minister, Dies At 87

Margaret Thatcher, who made history serving as Britain’s Prime Minister during an age of tough postwar politics, has died. She was 87.

Thatcher had struggled with her health over the last several years, most notably through her battle with dementia. On Monday, the revered political figure suffered a stroke from which she was unable to recover, according to her spokeswoman. Thatcher’s funeral will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral, with full military honors.

The late Conservative Prime Minister served in her role as the U.K.'s highest elected official from 1979 to 1990. Her unparalleled toughness earned her the moniker the “Iron Lady.” After suffering her first stroke in 2002, Thatcher removed herself from public life. Other strokes were to follow, and the steely former leader was forced to pass up attending occasions celebrating her service, including a reception for her 85th birthday hosted by current Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010.

Thatcher was elected British Prime Minister a short four years after she declared that there would no be a female in the role during her lifetime. While she served as Prime Minister, she took a tough stance against the Soviet Union and created close ties to for President Ronald Reagan. She was an avowed nationalist and believed fervently in the rights of the individual.

After leaving office in 1990, Thatcher was named Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush awarded her the U.S. Medal of Freedom.

Thatcher’s husband, Dennis Thatcher, died in June 2003. They had been married since 1951. She is survived by their two children, twins Mark and Carol.