Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister of the UK, serving from 1979 to 1990. She was born in 1925 in Grantham and studied chemistry at Oxford University. Thatcher worked as a chemist before entering politics as a member of the Conservative Party. She was elected to parliament in 1959 and held positions including Education Secretary and Leader of the Opposition before becoming Prime Minister in 1979. As Prime Minister, Thatcher focused on reducing taxes and public spending. Her policies were transformative but also controversial, and she resigned in 1990 after 11 years as Prime Minister. Thatcher continued advocating for political and economic freedom after leaving office.