Strokes Force Thatcher to Depart the Public Stage

Margaret Thatcher, the indomitable “Iron Lady” who led Britain through 11 tumultuous years, is retiring from the public stage after a series of small strokes.

Thatcher, 76, was resting at home in London, her office said.

The office confirmed Friday that the former prime minister had canceled a speaking engagement Tuesday because of another small stroke.

“They have therefore told her to cut back her program at once and in particular to avoid the undue strain that public speaking places on her,” her representative said.

Thatcher led Britain from 1979 until she was ousted by her own Conservative Party in 1990.

She stirred controversy this week with her new book, “Statecraft,” in which she called for Britain to withdraw from key European Union institutions.

In excerpts published in the Times newspaper, she said the euro currency was destined to fail and was “nothing more or less than an instrument for forging a European superstate.”