Former British Prime Minister Thatcher dies NHK   Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher has died following a stroke. She was 87. The British media on Monday reported the death of Baroness Thatcher, who served as the country's first female prime minister, for 11 years from 1979. She was dubbed the "Iron Lady" for her strong, determined style of leadership. After graduating from Oxford University, she entered the House of Commons in 1959 on the Conservative ticket. She became the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975. Her party took over power from the Labor Party in general elections in 1979, pledging an economic recovery by a small government. Baroness Thatcher pursued policies focusing on a market economy, privatizing about 40 government-owned companies. She paved the way for revitalizing the country's economy through fiscal deregulation and big tax cuts. During the final years of the Cold War era, she worked in tandem with then US president Ronald Reagan opposing communism. She was also in power when the United Kingdom went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands in 1982. Britain resolved the issue by using its military might. She retired from the post of the prime minister in 1990 after provoking disapproval from within the government and the party over her stance distancing the country from moves toward unity in Europe. Baroness Thatcher has refrained from political activity since 2002 for health reasons.