Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died Monday morning at the age of 87.
Lord Bell, her spokesman, told The Telegraph: “It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother, Baroness Thatcher, died peacefully following a stroke this morning. A further statement will be made later.”
The Guardian posted a statement from Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg: “Margaret Thatcher was one of the defining figures in modern British politics.
“Whatever side of the political debate you stand on, no one can deny that as prime minister she left a unique and lasting imprint on the country she served.
“She may have divided opinion during her time in politics but everyone will be united today in acknowledging the strength of her personality and the radicalism of her politics.”
Conservative MP David Burrowes Tweeted: “Very sad news of the death of Margaret Thatcher. A truly great PM, transformed Britain holding high the torch of liberty home and abroad.”
Queen Elizabeth II will be sending private condolences to Thatcher’s family, according to the Associated Press (AP). Prime Minister David Cameron said, “We have lost a great leader, a great prime minister and a great Briton,” reports AP.
Thatcher was prime minister from 1979 to 1990. She was Britain’s first female prime minister. She introduced economic reforms including the sale of state industries, reducing trade union power, and scaling back social welfare programs.
Having ruled for three terms, she stepped down in 1991 after some of her policies proved unpopular and due to internal power struggles in her party.
