Who was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?

The first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom was Margaret Thatcher, who served from 1979 to 1990. Her leadership marked a significant moment in British political history, as she was not only the first woman to occupy this position but also a highly influential figure known for her strong conservative policies and economic reforms. Thatcher's tenure saw the implementation of policies that emphasized deregulation, reducing the power of trade unions, and privatizing state-owned industries, which transformed the UK economy during her time in office.

In contrast, the other options presented do not fit the criteria for being the first female Prime Minister of the UK. Angela Merkel was Chancellor of Germany, not Prime Minister of the UK; Theresa May succeeded Thatcher's legacy as the second female Prime Minister but was not the first; Golda Meir was the Prime Minister of Israel, further highlighting that the role belongs specifically to Margaret Thatcher in the context of the UK. Hence, recognizing Thatcher's pivotal role underscores her place in history as the first female leader of the British government.