Meryl Streep won her third Oscar for playing Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 film The Iron Lady and the star was quick to pay tribute to Britain’s former prime minister following her death on Monday.
“Margaret Thatcher was a pioneer, willingly or unwillingly, for the role of women in politics,” said Meryl in a statement.
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“It is hard to imagine a part of our current history that has not been affected by measures she put forward in the UK at the end of the 20th century. Her hard-nosed fiscal measures took a toll on the poor, and her hands-off approach to financial regulation led to great wealth for others. There is an argument that her steadfast, almost emotional loyalty to the pound sterling has helped the UK weather the storms of European monetary uncertainty.”
Margaret passed away from a stroke at age 87 after a long period of ill health. Meryl says her role in The Iron Lady was complex and although many of Margaret’s family openly condemned her portrayal of Mrs Thatcher at the time, the 63-year-old actress was quick to pay her respects.
“To me, she was a figure of awe for her personal strength and grit,” she continued.
“To have come up, legitimately, through the ranks of the British political system, class bound and gender phobic as it was, in the time that she did and the way that she did, was a formidable achievement.
“I was honored to try to imagine her late life journey, after power; but I have only a glancing understanding of what her many struggles were, and how she managed to sail through to the other side. I wish to convey my respectful condolences to her family and many friends.”
