Mrs Thatcher achieved many firsts as leader of Britain. She was the first female Prime Minister, the first leader to win three consecutive terms and the longest-serving PM of the 20th century.
Margaret Thatcher had a remarkable political career
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Margaret Thatcher had a remarkable political careerCredit: Hulton Archive - Getty
How old was Margaret Thatcher when she became Prime Minister?
Mrs Thatcher entered the Cabinet as Education Secretary in 1970.
She famously scrapped a free milk programme for schoolchildren, which led to her being dubbed “Thatcher the milk snatcher” by her opponents.
She competed for the role of Conservative leader against Ted Heath in 1975 and, to the surprise of many, was victorious.
Then, in 1979 the Conservative Party won the General Election with a 44-seat majority in the House of Commons, and Thatcher became PM aged 54, taking over from James Callaghan.
