History of success. “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher

On Jun 2, 2022

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The most common epithets of this woman were "grocer's daughter" and "iron lady".

In response to Margaret Thatcher's criticism of the Soviet Union, the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper called her "the iron lady". The translation of this expression into English sounded like "iron lady". Since then, this nickname has been firmly entrenched in the prime minister.

Grocer's daughter

Margaret Hilda Roberts was indeed born into a small merchant family on October 13, 1925. Surprisingly hardworking, already at school, Margaret received scholarships for diligence. Not surprisingly, she also studied at Oxford for free and graduated from this prestigious institution with honors, immediately receiving a degree in chemistry. At the same time, Thatcher became interested in politics, dealing with the affairs of the then unfashionable Conservative Party.

Subsequently, Margaret will say that she owes her professional and personal qualities to the family, especially to her father. He not only worked in a shop, but also was an assistant to the mayor, a member of the city council. “From childhood, we were instilled with a sense of duty in relation to the family, to the church, to the neighbors. It gave me a vital basis," said Margaret.

Businessman's wife, mother of twins and… politician

At 26 (in 1951), Margaret married wealthy businessman Denis Thatcher and quickly gave birth to twins: Mark and Carol. However, his academic career was replaced by a passion for politics. Later, Margaret Thatcher will emphasize that it was just a hobby, and not a desire to advance, no matter what.

Although, perhaps, it was precisely the fact that politics was originally a hobby for her, to which she gave herself with all her passion, and became the basis of her fantastic success.

Taking care of family and children, Margaret simultaneously received another education – legal. She liked to emphasize that the fact that her husband Denis was a wealthy man helped her in this, thanks to which she could calmly study to be a lawyer without thinking about earning.

The only female prime minister

In 1959, 34-year-old Thatcher became a member of the House of Commons from the Conservative Party in London and for the next twenty years moved up the party ladder, holding a number of high positions. In 1979, she decides to challenge fellow Conservative Edward Heath, who led the party. And takes his place. And when the Conservatives win the general parliamentary election, Thatcher almost automatically becomes Prime Minister. The first and so far the only woman in British history to hold this post. Yes, and her premiership was truly a record: for almost 12 years, Margaret Thatcher, the “elected dictator,” as she was once called, remains in this post, entering the political history of not only Great Britain, but the whole world.

Frankly speaking, Mrs. Thatcher got a troublesome, by European standards, ruined economy. Inflation was over 20%, which was simply indecent for a respectable country.

Iron hand in a lace glove

Thatcher, as we would say, "a convinced marketer." She denationalized several major industries, reduced social spending, which, in her opinion, simply produced idlers, curtailed the rights of trade unions – in a word, she carried out everything that was called “Thatcherism” and “anti-people policy of the Tories” in the USSR. After that, inflation fell to an acceptable 4-5% per year (what we can now dream of), unemployment ceased to be a national problem, and the economy firmly embarked on tracks, if not rapid, then steady growth.

With England again began to be considered. M. Thatcher's diplomatic gift was fully manifested when, in 1986-87, by implementing a "shuttle" policy between the USA and the USSR, or, better, between Reagan and Gorbachev, she made the reconciliation of the irreconcilable real.

Reasons for Thatcher's success

It is difficult to say what a woman's success in politics is. Perhaps this is the ability to play men's games. But after that, who will say that politics is not a woman's business?! Among the secrets of Margaret Thatcher's success, one can probably name the following:

• Unusual political instinct and great will – she clearly knew what she wanted, saw the prospect and went to the desired goal without turning off.

• Margaret was able to make openly unpopular decisions and listen calmly to reproaches.

• She was unfailingly firm in carrying out the decisions she made, and in times of crisis she knew how to rally like-minded people around her.

• She deftly answered tricky questions in the way she needed, conveying to the listener only what she wanted to say, and not what they were eager to hear from her.

• In her native family, where, besides Margaret, Muriel's sister grew up, there were strict rules – the girls were instilled with clear concepts of honesty, decency and other positive qualities. Thatcher brought them into her politics.

• Margaret has a wonderful rear behind her back – a good family, a caring husband, well-bred children who did not give her trouble with some inappropriate antics.

• Well, undoubtedly one of the important success factors is that Margaret Thatcher is just a beautiful woman.

Professional workaholic

Margaret often said: "I was born to work." Among the reasons for her success, Thatcher herself named good natural health, faith in human rights and the belief that management must be skillful. Not particularly embarrassed, she said that she was well versed in people – as soon as she saw a person, she already knew who was in front of her, and she was never mistaken. Irreconcilable was in relation to corruption. Margaret Thatcher is practically the only major political leader who has never heard a single reproach of dishonesty.

After completing her political career, the lady was rarely in public (age and illness made themselves felt), but each of her appearances was an event. Among her favorite pastimes, Margaret named walking and attending concerts and classical music festivals.

Margaret Thatcher did not like the film "Iron Lady", but she appreciated the game of Meryl Streep

By the way, Thatcher herself did not like the film “Iron Lady”, which was released on the screens, in principle – “an unnecessary undertaking”. But about the brilliant game of Meryl Streep, she responded with praise. As always, carefully, politely, but frankly.

It is interesting

• The mechanism for taking office as prime minister in England is quite peculiar. By morning, when the results of the elections become known, the sleepy, exhausted winner comes to the residence of the monarch and, on bended knee, informs Her Majesty about the fait accompli. And the reigning person has no choice but to offer the winner to accept the post of prime minister and form a government. As a rule, this offer is not refused.

• For all her firmness, with regard to unprincipled details, Margaret Thatcher was capable of an active compromise. Although, as she said, this is her least favorite word. Listening to the advice of image makers, Margaret somewhat softened her intonation, changed her hair, began to wear more feminine suits (she rarely wears dresses at all), shorter skirts and wear jewelry more often. And on this change of image, she achieved incredible success! From a tough parliamentary fighter, she turned into a kind of "mother of the nation", the second queen.

• Thatcher had few jewels and most of them were her husband's gifts for family holidays. Margaret's favorite jewelry is natural pearls. “Pearl earrings illuminate the face in a special way,” she said. Her favorite color is turquoise, but she rarely wore it, preferring dark blue and gray, choosing natural wool and silk.

• Margaret is the second wife of Denis Thatcher. His first wife was also named Margaret. The fact that she is the second Margaret Thatcher seemed to never bother the head of the British government, but she did not like to talk about it.

• With the retirement of the "grocer's daughter" planned to confer the title of nobility and title. At first they thought that she would be made the Countess of Grantham – after the name of the place where she was born. However, Margaret Thatcher was granted the title of Baroness Kestvin. By the way, her pension was 17.5 thousand pounds a year.

• Thatcher died on the morning of April 8, 2013 after a long illness, she was 87 years old. The funeral service was held in St. Paul's Cathedral with military honors. In 2005, Margaret Thatcher drew up a plan for her funeral, preparations for which had been underway since 2007. At her funeral, Thatcher desired the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, members of the royal family, the most important political figures of the Thatcher era, including former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, who was unable to attend for health reasons. After the memorial service, a cremation was carried out, and the ashes of the deceased were buried next to her husband Denis.