Thatcher 's spokeswoman said she had a growth in her breast removed . Thatcher , 87 , was Britain 's only female prime minister and held office from 1979 to 2002 . London ( CNN ) -- She retired from public life in 2002 and suffered several strokes after that .
Thatcher 's spokeswoman said she had a growth in her breast removed . Thatcher , 87 , was Britain 's only female prime minister and held office from 1979 to 2002 . She retired from public life in 2002 and suffered several strokes after that .