Margaret Thatcher was a woman of contradictions: “the Mother of the Nation” and “the Witch,” “milk thief” and “Iron Lady.” She ate eggs by the dozen, fought for islands, broke strikes, and even flirted with Gorbachev. And you know what’s most remarkable? Nobody remains indifferent to her even today. Margaret Thatcher was not just a politician. She was a brand, a legend, and an endless topic of debate over a glass of whiskey. So, what did Margaret really hide?
The Girl Who Read Too Much
On October 13, 1925, a girl was born into the family of a vegetable trader. Classmates called her “the toothpick,” arguably the worst nickname for the future Iron Lady.
But little Margaret Roberts had a steel-planned path: while other girls played with dolls, she attended university lectures with her father and listened to political programs on the radio. A housewife’s life? No, thanks, I have ambitions as big as the British Empire.
Her favorite quote at age nine, delivered during a school award ceremony, was: “No, I didn’t get lucky. I earned it.” Humility was clearly not in the dictionary of the future Prime Minister.
Even Chemists Cry
When the top student of her school decided to apply to Oxford, everyone expected her to choose something in the humanities. Surprise! Margaret chose chemistry. Her teacher? None other than future Nobel laureate Dorothy Hodgkin. Yet even the prospect of a Nobel Prize didn’t stop Thatcher from thinking: “Maybe I’d be better off as a lawyer?”
The best comment on her chemistry career came from the HR manager at Imperial Chemical Industries in 1948: “This woman is stubborn, headstrong, and painfully self-confident.” Spoiler: that was the most accurate HR description in history.
Young Mother, Not for Politics (Or Maybe Yes?)
In 1950, 24-year-old Margaret decided to run for Parliament. Voters said, “Thanks, but no.” She fell in love with Winston Churchill (platonically, of course), married wealthy businessman Denis Thatcher, and gave birth to twins. Gossip immediately started: “Ah, a marriage of convenience! She had children as soon as possible so she wouldn’t have to think about motherhood!”
At the next election, voters rejected her again. Reason? “A young mother cannot run for Parliament; she should focus on her home.” In 2025 this sounds like a joke, but back then it was harsh British reality.
Margaret sent her children to boarding school and tried a third time. Finally, success! In 1959, she became the youngest member of Parliament—and a woman, which added some extra spice.
“Milk Thief” – The Worst PR Move of the Century
In 1970, Margaret became Minister of Education. First thing she did? Cut the budget. Second? End free milk for children from wealthy families.
The press exploded with headlines: “Thatcher – Milk Thief!” The savings were minimal, but public outrage haunted the Conservatives for a long time. Even after the Baroness passed away, Britons brought not only flowers but bottles of milk to her house. British humor, indeed.
Thatcher later admitted: “I provoked maximum political hatred with minimum political gain.”
Ladies Don’t Turn Around
1980. The economy is falling, unemployment is rising, Thatcher is officially the most unpopular Prime Minister of the century. Critics shouted: “Turn around 180 degrees!”
At a conference, Margaret delivered the legendary line: “You may turn if you wish. Ladies don’t turn around.”
Why did she stand her ground? “Because it’s the right thing to do,” she said.
How a War Saved Her Career
1982 brought luck to Thatcher. Argentina tried to seize the Falkland Islands—a piece of British territory in the middle of nowhere that hardly anyone wanted. The government was ready to give it up without a fight, as maintaining it was costly.
But Margaret saw a chance to become “the second Churchill.” She sent the fleet across the Atlantic to fight for the forgotten land. Britain won, the people felt pride, and Thatcher was immediately reelected for a second term.
On April 30, 1982, an Argentine newspaper depicted her as a pirate on the front page. Margaret probably framed that clipping.
End of Illusions
1984. Miners went on strike. Thatcher called the police, who violently dispersed the protesters. The war with miners lasted a year. Margaret never compromised. She won—but completely lost working-class support.
British musician Morrissey later said: “She hated the poor and did nothing to help them.” Fair or not, Thatcher was definitely not a fan of compromise.
Special Relationships: Reagan, Gorbachev, and an Eye for Attractive Men
Thatcher liked handsome men. So her relationship with US President Ronald Reagan was perfect. They often called each other, coordinated policy, and she even allowed American troops on British soil.
But there was another man who charmed the Iron Lady—Mikhail Gorbachev. “I liked Gorbachev. You can do business with him,” she said in 1984. Thatcher invited the USSR into the Western world.
28 Eggs a Week – The Secret of Iron Health?
In 2009, historians found a note in Thatcher’s personal archive detailing her diet:
Breakfast: grapefruit, two eggs, black coffee.
Lunch: two eggs.
Dinner: steak, lamb ribs, or fish.
And so for two weeks straight.
The press screamed: “Thatcher ate 28 eggs a week!” Nutritionists panicked, journalists wondered how it was even possible to eat so many eggs without turning into a chicken.
The funny thing? There’s no 100% proof that she actually followed this diet. In March 1979, before elections, she told reporters she loved chocolate and sometimes drank coffee with milk—hardly consistent with the strict egg-and-grapefruit menu.
Yet the legend of “Maggie’s diet” lives on. Lose 10 kg in two weeks on eggs and grapefruit? Sounds like a desperate person preparing for an important meeting—or a future Prime Minister’s menu.
Betrayal with a Smile
1990. Thatcher introduced a poll tax. Over 100,000 protesters hit the streets of London. Police dispersed them. Thatcher didn’t resign.
But in November, almost her entire cabinet turned against her. It was betrayal—just as Edward Heath had once done. Thatcher resigned, saying: “It was betrayal with a smile.”
Yet she never left public life in the UK. She wrote memoirs, gave speeches, and in 1992 received the title of Baroness.
A Legend in Her Lifetime
In 2007, Margaret Thatcher became the first living ex-PM to receive a statue inside Parliament. Symbolically, it stood opposite Winston Churchill—her idol.
On April 8, 2013, the Iron Lady passed away at 87. Some celebrated with chants of “The Witch is Dead,” while others mourned the end of an era. Her funeral was held at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II, a state ceremony with a motorcade and cannon salutes.
Before Thatcher, such an honor had only been given to… Winston Churchill. She always wanted to be first. And she achieved it.
