Margaret Thatcher, Britain's former Prime Minister, dies at 87 of a stroke

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Margaret Thatcher, Iron Lady, dead at 87
By GREGORY KATZ and ROBERT BARR Associated Press The Associated Press
Monday, April 8, 2013 10:16 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) - Love her or loathe her, one thing's beyond dispute: Margaret Thatcher transformed Britain.

The Iron Lady who ruled for 11 remarkable years imposed her will on a fractious, rundown nation - breaking the unions, triumphing in a far-off war, and selling off state industries at a record pace. She left behind a leaner government and more prosperous nation by the time a mutiny ousted her from No. 10 Downing Street.

Thatcher's spokesman, Tim Bell, said the former prime minister died Monday morning of a stroke. She was 87.

Flags were at half-mast at Buckingham Palace, Parliament and Downing Street as a show of respect.

The British government said Thatcher will receive a ceremonial funeral with military honors. It was unclear when the service would be held.

Queen Elizabeth II authorized the ceremonial funeral - a step short of a state funeral - to be held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The service will be followed by a private cremation.

Prime Minister David Cameron cut short a trip to Spain and France upon hearing the news.

For admirers, Thatcher was a savior who rescued Britain from ruin and laid the groundwork for an extraordinary economic renaissance. For critics, she was a heartless tyrant who ushered in an era of greed that kicked the weak out onto the streets and let the rich become filthy rich.

"Let us not kid ourselves, she was a very divisive figure," said Bernard Ingham, Thatcher's press secretary for her entire term. "She was a real toughie. She was a patriot with a great love for this country, and she raised the standing of Britain abroad."

Thatcher was the first - and still only - female prime minister in Britain's history. But she often found feminists tiresome and was not above using her handbag as a prop to underline her swagger and power. A grocer's daughter, she rose to the top of Britain's snobbish hierarchy the hard way, and envisioned a classless society that rewarded hard work and determination.

She was a trailblazer who at first believed trailblazing impossible: Thatcher told the Liverpool Daily Post in 1974 that she did not think a woman would serve as party leader or prime minister during her lifetime.