Denis Thatcher
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Born | London, England | 10 May 1915
Died | 26 June 2003 London, England | (aged 88)
Resting place | Royal Hospital Chelsea |
Education | Mill Hill School |
Occupation | Businessman |
Known for | Spouse of the prime minister of the United Kingdom (1979–1990) |
Political party | Conservative |
Spouses | |
Children | |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service | British Army |
Years of service | 1938–1965 |
Rank | Major |
Service number | 77306 |
Unit | |
Battles / wars |
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Awards | ( | )
Sir Denis Thatcher, 1st Baronet,
Thatcher was granted the
Early life
Denis Thatcher was born on 10 May 1915 at 26 Southbrook Road, Lee,
Thatcher left Mill Hill School in 1933 and joined the family paint and
War record
During the Second World War, Thatcher was commissioned as a
His MBE was
Thatcher also received the approximate French equivalent of a mention when he was cited in orders at
He remained in the Territorial Army reserve of officers until reaching the age limit for service on 10 May 1965, when he retired, retaining the honorary rank of major.[14]
On 21 September 1982 he was awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) for his service.[15]
Marriages
Thatcher married twice, during wartime to Margot Kempson in 1942 (divorced in 1948),[3] and in 1951 to Margaret Roberts.[16]
Margot Kempson
On 28 March 1942, Thatcher married Margaret Doris[16] "Margot" Kempson, the daughter of a businessman,[1] at St Mary's Church in Monken Hadley. They met at an officers' dance at Grosvenor House the year before.[17]
Thatcher and his first wife never lived together.[3] Their married life became confined to snatched weekends and irregular leaves as Thatcher was often abroad during the war. When Thatcher returned to England after being demobilised in 1946, his wife told him she had met someone else and wanted a divorce.[18]
Thatcher was so traumatised by the event that he completely refused to talk about his first marriage or the separation, even to his daughter, as she states in her 1996 biography of him.[19][page needed] Thatcher's two children found out about his first marriage only in 1976 (by which time, their mother had become Leader of the Opposition) and then only when the media revealed it.[20]
Margaret Thatcher

In February 1949, at a Paint Trades Federation function in
In 1953, they had twin children (
Not long after the
This second marriage for Thatcher led to the future prime minister being sometimes referred to as "Mrs Denis Thatcher" in such sources as selection minutes,[28] travel itineraries,[29] and society publications such as Queen, even after she was elected a Member of Parliament.[29][30] As Margaret's political career progressed, she preferred to be known only as "Mrs Thatcher".
According to John Campbell, a biographer of his wife, "their marriage was more a partnership of mutual convenience than a romance",[31] quoting their daughter Carol in her biography of Denis:
If marriage is either a takeover or a merger, then my parents enjoyed the latter. There was a great deal of common ground and a tacit laissez faire agreement that they would get on with their own interests and activities. There was no possessiveness, nor any expectation that one partner's career should take precedence.[32]
Business career

Thatcher was already a wealthy man when he met Margaret, and he financed her training as a
Thatcher became managing director of his family's firm Atlas Preservatives in 1947 and chairman in 1951, leading its overseas expansion.[citation needed] By the early 1960s, he found being in sole control of the family company difficult.[citation needed] This, his wife's political career, and their desire for financial security caused Thatcher to sell Atlas to Castrol in 1965 for £530,000 (£13,000,000 today). He continued to run Atlas and received a seat on Castrol's board; after Burmah Oil took over Castrol in 1966, Thatcher became a senior divisional director, managing the planning and control department.[33][need quotation to verify] He retired from Burmah in June 1975,[citation needed] four months after his wife won the Conservative Party leadership election.
In addition to being a director of Burmah Oil, Thatcher was a director and deputy chairman of Attwoods from July 1983 until January 1994.
His wife's biographer Robin Harris concludes:
He was not, in fact, a particularly good businessman: he had inherited shares in a family firm which he managed, and he was lucky enough to sell his interest on terms that gave him a large pay-off and a good salary to boot. But it is significant that he left a very modest legacy at his death. This was because, throughout his life, and despite his training as an accountant and his eagle-eyed scrutiny of the Stock Exchange, he was a poor investor. Once his wife had become Prime Minister, and even after her retirement, it was Denis who lived off her and not vice versa. He matched Alf Roberts in his dislike of spending his own money. More generally, while (in contrast to certain of his successors) he did not raise eyebrows about exploiting his position, he certainly made the most of it. He was a celebrity exclusively because of whom he had married.[37]
Public life and perceptions

Thatcher refused press interviews and made only brief speeches. When he did speak to the press, he called his wife "The Boss". Margaret Thatcher often acknowledged her husband's support. In her autobiography, she wrote: "I could never have been Prime Minister for more than 11 years without Denis by my side." Thatcher saw his role as helping her survive the stress of the job, which he urged her to resign on the tenth anniversary of her becoming prime minister in 1989,[citation needed] sensing that otherwise she would be forced out.
In an interview with The Times in October 1970, Thatcher said: "I don't pretend that I'm anything but an honest-to-God right-winger – those are my views and I don't care who knows 'em."[38] His public image was shaped by the satirical "Dear Bill" columns appearing since 1979 in Private Eye, which portrayed him as a "juniper-sozzled, rightwing, golf-obsessed halfwit", and Thatcher found it useful to play along with this image to avoid allegations of unduly influencing his wife in political matters.[39]
Given his professional background, Thatcher served as an advisor on financial matters, warning Margaret about the poor condition of British Leyland after reviewing its books. He often insisted that she avoid overwork, to little avail, sometimes pleading, "Bed, woman!"[40] They otherwise usually kept their careers separate; an exception was when Thatcher accompanied his wife on a 1967 visit to the United States sponsored by the International Visitor Leadership Program.[33]
Thatcher was consistent in his strong opposition to the
Thatcher was reported by New Zealand (NZ) broadcaster and former diplomat Chris Laidlaw—at the time NZ High Commissioner to Zimbabwe—as leaning towards him during a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, asking "So, what do you think the fuzzy wuzzies are up to?"[42]
In December 1990, following the resignation of his wife as prime minister, it was announced that Thatcher would be created a
In July 1991, Thatcher was created a
Illness and death

In the autumn of 1992, Thatcher was diagnosed with prostate cancer,[47] but it was caught early. He responded well to treatment.
On 17 January 2003, Thatcher underwent a six-hour heart-bypass operation and aortic valve operation at a Harley Street clinic. He had complained of breathlessness for several weeks before Christmas 2002, and the problem was diagnosed in early January. He left the clinic on 28 January 2003 and appeared to recover fully after recuperation. Thatcher returned home on 14 February and visited his son Mark in South Africa in April, but in early June, he again complained of breathlessness and listlessness. Lady Thatcher's staff also thought he looked unwell, and on 13 June, he was admitted to the Royal Brompton Hospital for further tests.[48] Nothing wrong was found with his heart but terminal pancreatic cancer was diagnosed,[49] along with fluid in his lungs. He was told nothing could be done for him, and after seven days there, on 20 June, he was transferred to the Lister Hospital.[48] He lost consciousness on 24 June[50] and never regained it. He died on the morning of 26 June, at the age of 88.[50]
His funeral service took place on 3 July 2003 at the chapel of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, followed by a cremation at Mortlake Crematorium[51] in Richmond, London. On 30 October, a memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey. His ashes were buried under a white marble marker just outside the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.[52] After his wife's death in 2013, her ashes were buried near his.[53][54]
Profiles
Married to Maggie
Produced by his daughter Carol,
Below the Parapet
Medals and honours
Thatcher was awarded the following medals and honours:
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Year | Ribbon | Appointment | Letters |
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1945 | ![]() |
Mention in Dispatches Oakleaf
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— |
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Italy Star | ||
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1939–1945 Star | ||
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Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division)
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MBE | |
1982 | ![]() |
Territorial Decoration | TD |
1990 | ![]() |
Baronetcy | Bt |
1991 | ![]() |
Commander of the Order of St John
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CStJ |
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References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Collins 2009.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 25.
- ^ a b c d Barker, Dennis (26 June 2003). "Sir Denis Thatcher". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 53.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 34.
- ^ "No. 34977". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 October 1940. pp. 6182–6184.
- ^ "No. 36886". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 January 1945. pp. 315–317.
- ^ "No. 37368". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 November 1945. pp. 5791–5795.
- ^ "No. 37274". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 September 1945. p. 4673.
- ^ "WO 373/73/1003" (fee may be required to view full original recommendation). The National Archives. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
- ^ "WO 373/185/1209" (fee may be required to view full original recommendation). The National Archives. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
- ^ "No. 37279". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 September 1945. p. 4740.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 39.
- ^ "No. 43646". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 May 1965. p. 4565.
- ^ "No. 49114". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 September 1982. p. 12237.
- ^ a b "Sir Denis Thatcher, Bt". The Telegraph. 27 June 2003. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, pp. 49–50.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 51.
- ^ a b c Thatcher 1996.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, pp. 46–47.
- ^ Moore, Charles (19 April 2013). "A side of Margaret Thatcher we've never seen". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
- ^ "History of Baroness Margaret Thatcher". UK Government. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ Cosgrave 1978, p. 111.
- ^ Blundell 2013, p. 13.
- ^ Thatcher 1995, p. 78.
- ^ a b c d Cannadine 2017.
- ^ Rayner, Gordon (23 April 2013). "Margaret Thatcher: Sir Denis 'contemplated divorce' after he suffered a nervous breakdown in 1960s". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
- ^ Ramsden 1996, p. 117.
- ^ a b Blundell 2008, pp. 59
–60.
- ^ Hodgkinson 1988, p. 95.
- ^ Campbell 2000, p. 88.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, pp. 91–92.
- ^ a b Scott-Smith 2003.
- ^ "Denis Thatcher's Company in Alleged Bribery Dealing". Australian Financial Review. 5 July 1989. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
- ^ Annual accounts for year ended 31 July 1994 Attwoods 5 December 1994 page 14[dead link ]
- ^ Annual accounts for year ended 31 July 1992 Attwoods 2 December 1992 page 9[dead link ]
- ^ Harris 2013, p. 45.
- ^ "[Denis Thatcher]". The Times (Interview). Interviewed by Kirsten Cubitt. 5 October 1970. p. 7.
- ^ Pilkington, Edward (26 February 1996). "Dear Bill: gin-soaked halfwit was all a ruse". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ^ Runciman, David (6 June 2013). "Rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat". London Review of Books. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
- ^ "TV's top 10 tantrums". BBC News. 31 August 2001. Retrieved 26 July 2009.
- ^ Bale, Tim (14 April 2013). "Thatcher's Life and Legacy" (Interview). Interviewed by RNZ National. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
- ^ "No. 52360". The London Gazette. 11 December 1990. p. 19066.
- ^ "No. 52443". The London Gazette. 7 February 1991. p. 1993.
- ^ Tuohy, William (8 December 1990). "It's Now 'Lady Thatcher,' but She'll Stick With 'Mrs.'". Los Angeles Times. London. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
- ^ "No. 52590". The London Gazette. 1 July 1991. p. 10029.
- ^ Moore 2019, p. 788.
- ^ a b "Sir Denis Thatcher dies in London aged 88". The Irish Times. 26 June 2003. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ Harris 2013, p. 426.
- ^ a b Brown, Colin (29 June 2003). "'I was holding Lady Thatcher's hand, and she was holding Denis's when he died. There were no final words'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "Notable dead at Mortlake" (PDF). Mortlake Crematorium. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 March 2005.
- ^ "Margaret Thatcher: 'Don't waste money on a flypast at my funeral'". The Telegraph. London. 8 April 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Baroness Thatcher's ashes laid to rest". The Telegraph. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Margaret Thatcher's ashes laid to rest at Royal Hospital Chelsea". BBC News. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ASIN B00GGTBVGQ – via Amazon Prime Video.
- BFI.
- ^ a b c Banks-Smith, Nancy (4 August 2003). "Stand by your ma'am". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
I liked Raisa Gorbachev... I liked Barbara Bush... I liked Nancy Reagan.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 252.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 231.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 176.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 211.
- ^ Thatcher 1996, p. 188.
- ^ a b Debrett's 2000.
Works cited
- ISBN 978-0-87586-632-1.
- Blundell, John, ed. (2013). Remembering Margaret Thatcher: Commemorations, Tributes and Assessments. Algora. ISBN 978-1-62894-017-6.
- ISBN 978-0-7126-7418-8.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/106415. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- Collins, Christopher (2009). "Thatcher, Sir Denis, first baronet (1915–2003), businessman and prime ministerial consort". doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/90063. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- OCLC 1057923247.
- Debrett's (2000). Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage.
- ISBN 978-1-4481-2738-2.
- ISBN 978-0-86287-421-6.
- ISBN 978-0-241-32475-2.
- ISBN 978-0-582-27570-6.
- S2CID 143466586.
- ISBN 978-0-00-255605-7.
- Thatcher, Margaret (1995). The Path to Power. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-017270-1.
External links
- British Army Officers 1939−1945
- In pictures (BBC News Online) at the Wayback Machine (archived 2003-06-29)
- Denis Thatcher at IMDb
- Grave on the turf of the Margaret Thatcher Infirmary (image/jpeg) at the Wayback Machine (archived 2017-03-07)