The unknown quantity
As depicted by the NS, April 1979
First Cabinet
Thatcher's first cabinet in1979
MARGARET THATCHER: THE CV
13 October 1925 Born Margaret Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire. Educated at Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School. Studies chemistry at Somerville College, Oxford
January 1949 Selected as Tory candidate for Dartford, a safe Labour seat. Loses contests 1950, 1951
December 1951 Marries Denis Thatcher. Twins born 1953
July 1958 Selected as Tory candidate for Finchley. Wins in 1959
June 1970 Made secretary of state for education
February 1975 Becomes leader of the Conservative Party, defeating Edward Heath
May 1979 Wins general election
April 1982 Start of Falklands War. Secures second term a year later
March 1984 Start of miners’ strike
June 1987 Wins third consecutive term, the only 20th-century PM to do so
14 November 1990 Michael Heseltine challenges her to a leadership contest
28 November 1990 Steps down as Tory leader
Kate Ferguson
Action Thatcher
At the opening of the M25 motorway, 1986
Dancing with President Reagan at the White House, November 1988
Ralph Steadman on Thatcher
Return to Downing Street
After taking tea with Gordon Brown, September 2007
