Former British PM Margaret Thatcher dead

Video updated The British government says former prime minister Margaret Thatcher will receive a ceremonial funeral with military honours.

Thatcher, known as the “Iron Lady” — died today at the age of 87 after a stroke. She is credited with remaking Britain’s economic landscape after taking office in 1979 with a free-market philosophy and the goal of privatizing state industries.

To admirers, she was a savior who rescued Britain from ruin and laid the groundwork for an extraordinary economic renaissance. For critics, she was a heartless tyrant who ushered in an era of greed.

Downing Street says Queen Elizabeth has authorized a ceremonial funeral – a step short of a state funeral – to be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

British prime minister David Cameron has cut short a European tour to return to London. He’s tweeted: “it was with great sadness that I learned of the death of lady Thatcher. We have lost a great leader, a great prime minister and a great Briton.”

Prime minister Stephen Harper is remembering Thatcher as a leader who “defined contemporary conservatism.” Harper credits Thatcher with having played a key role in ending the Cold War.

Not long after leaving office, Margaret Thatcher made a trip to Hamilton. She was the guest speaker for a special fundraising dinner for Hamilton’s St Joseph’s Hospital. The 1992 event was held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Thatcher was given a tour of the museum’s historic exhibits before addressing the crowd.