Margaret thatcher biography first female pm

Margaret Thatcher’s father, a shopkeeper and Mayor of Grantham, was a major influence in her childhood. She was educated at the local grammar school and studied Chemistry at Oxford University, where she became president of the university Conservative association.

Thatcher read for the Bar before being elected as the Conservative MP for Finchley in 1959.

Margaret thatcher biography first female pm

She held junior posts before becoming Shadow Spokesperson for Education, and entered the Cabinet as Education Secretary in 1970.

In Opposition she stood against Edward Heath for the party leadership in 1975 and won. Her victory was considered a surprise by many.

In 1979, the Conservative Party won the General Election and Thatcher became PM, taking over from James Callaghan.

Her first 2 years in office were not easy - unemployment was very high, but the economy gradually showed improvement.

She brought more of her supporters into the Cabinet, and added to her reputation by leading the country to war against Ar