British Former PM Margaret Thatcher Dies After Stroke

(from cntv.cn)

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the combative “Iron Lady”, has died of a stroke at the age of 87.

Thatcher was UK Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990, the longest a British Prime Minister held the office in the 20th century. She is also the only woman to have held the post. The British government says a ceremonial funeral with military honors will be held at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral. In line with her family’s wishes, the ceremony will not be a full state funeral. Further details about the funeral will be released over the next few days. The spokesman Lord Bell said: "It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning."

Baroness Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990. She was the first woman to hold the post, renowned for the nickname of "Iron Lady" worldwide. Learning her death, British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed "great sadness," adding that "we have lost a great leader, a great prime minister and a great Briton." A further statement will be made later, according to the spokesman.