Margaret Thatcher's life in pictures
- Published
Margaret Thatcher was in charge of the country for 11 years as leader of the Conservative party between 1979 and 1990 and had a huge influence on Britain.
She was born Margaret Hilda Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in 1925. Her father, a greengrocer, had a huge impact on her life and was an inspiration to her.
In 1951 she married Denis Thatcher and two years later gave birth to twins Mark and Carol.
In 1951 she campaigned for a seat in Parliament but lost on that occasion. She got enough votes in 1959 though, winning the Conservative seat of Finchley.
She became Britain's first female prime minister in 1979 and told voters that the Conservatives would cut taxes, bring down government spending and make it easier for people to buy their own homes.
Margaret Thatcher was thought to have survived on just four hours sleep a night - and got the nickname "the Iron Lady" for being tough and sticking to her decisions.
In 1982 she sent British Troops to defend the Falklands - tiny islands in the South Atlantic - after they'd been invaded by Argentina.
Margaret Thatcher met members of the England football squad in 1980. Players Kevin Keegan and Emlyn Hughes shared a joke with her outside 10 Downing Street.
In 1980 a waxwork of her was put on display at Madame Tussaud's in London.
Mrs Thatcher formed a very special relationship with American President Ronald Reagan - they were said to be political soul mates.
In 1990 her party introduced a new tax - called the poll tax. This led to fighting on the streets of London because some thought it hit poorer people harder than the rich.
In 2007 Baroness Thatcher became the first living ex-prime minister to be honoured with a statue in the House of Commons.
Margret Thatcher still carried out public engagements twenty years after leaving Downing Street.
After her death she is recognised as a prime minister who transformed the face of Britain - and will be remembered as one of the most important figures in modern British history.