Remembering Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady" of British politics

Poll tax and growing discontent - In 1989, Thatcher introduced the poll tax, a single flat-rate per-capita tax levied on every adult. It proved hugely unpopular and prompted people across the UK to take to the streets in sometimes violent protest. Thatcher began to lose grass roots popularity, and eventually lost the confidence of her Cabinet.

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Resignation - In 1990, after a challenge to her leadership and much in-fighting within the Conservative Party, the Iron Lady stepped down as prime minister. She's pictured leaving Buckingham Palace after tending her resignation to the Queen.

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Still on the world stage - Despite her fall from grace, Margaret Thatcher remained active on the world stage. In 1991, she received the US Medal of Freedom, awarded by the President of the United States, George Bush.

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Baroness Thatcher - In 1992, she was honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the title of Baroness. In fact, her official title was Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven. This afforded her a seat in the House of Lords.

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Retirement from public life - After suffering several small strokes, she took her doctors' advice and retired from public life in 2002.

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Death of husband Dennis - The Iron Lady suffered a personal loss with the death of husband Dennis in June, 2003. They had been married for almost 52 years.

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Death of Ronald Reagan - In 2004, she attended former US President Ronald Reagan's funeral. Thatcher commented that she'd lost a close friend.

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Controversy - In the same year, South African police arrested Thatcher's son Mark on allegations that he was involved in a plot to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.

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Dementia - Confirming what many had suspected, Carol Thatcher (pictured) made public in 2005 that her mother was suffering from dementia.

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A Great Briton - In 2008, Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron presented Thatcher with a lifetime achievement award at a 2008 Great Britons award ceremony.

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Putting on a brave face - But a now increasingly frail Thatcher continued to suffer from health issues. She's seen waving to journalists after a visit to the hospital.

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'The Iron Lady' - Hollywood paid its own tribute to the former prime minister by releasing 'The Iron Lady' (2011), starring Meryl Streep (pictured in a scene from the movie) in the title role.

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Death - Margaret Thatcher passed away on April 8, 2013 aged 87. Pictured: the coffin resting in the Crypt Chapel of St Mary Undercroft beneath the Houses of Parliament on the eve of her funeral on April 16.

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Funeral - The funeral cortege carrying the coffin of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher arrives at St Paul's Cathedral, London.

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Ashes interred - Thatcher's ashes were interred in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, next to those of her husband.

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Thatcher as celebrity -

The Prime Ministerial Dispatch Box, part of the collection of former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher during an auction preview at Christie's in London, 2015.

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Remembering Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady" of British politics

The former prime minister resigned on November 22, 1990

22/11/19 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Margaret thatcher

The first woman to become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher served three terms as premier, from 1979 to 1990. Throughout her tenure, the Conservative politician lambasted the Soviet Union, survived an audacious assassination attempt, implemented policies known as Thatcherism, and took on trade unions in often bitter and protracted industrial disputes. Not for nothing was she known as the "Iron Lady."

She died in 2013.

Browse the gallery for an appreciation of one of Britain's most celebrated—and controversial—political leaders of recent years.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)