(CNN) — Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died Monday following a stroke, her spokeswoman confirmed.

Britain’s only female prime minister, Thatcher served from 1979 to 1990 as leader of the Conservative Party. She was called the “Iron Lady” for her personal and political toughness.

Thatcher retired from public life after a stroke in 2002 and suffered several strokes after that.

via Former UK PM Margaret Thatcher dies after stroke – CNN.com.