Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has died aged 87. She had a stroke at The Ritz Hotel in London after being in poor health for many years. Mrs Thatcher became famous after becoming the U.K.'s first ever female leader. She was in power from 1979 to 1990 – the longest time in office for a Prime Minister in over 150 years. Her tough style earned her the nickname the "Iron Lady". Her 11 years of leadership greatly changed British society. Many praised her for transforming Britain into a more free-market economy. Others hated her for selling government-owned industries and breaking up communities. She also took the decision to go to war with Argentina in 1982 to recover the Falkland Islands.

Britain's best-selling newspapers also disagree about Margaret Thatcher. The right wing "Daily Mail" said she was: "The Woman Who Saved Britain." However, the left wing "Daily Mirror" ran the headline: "The Woman Who Divided A Nation." Tony Blair (Prime Minister from 1997-2007) paid tribute to Mrs Thatcher, saying: "Very few leaders get to change not only the political landscape of their country but of the world. Margaret was such a leader. Her global impact was vast." Current British leader David Cameron said: "Margaret Thatcher loved this country and served it with all she had. For that, she has her well-earned place in history." He added the British people would respect and thank her forever.