RIP, Denis Thatcher

[Monte Smith]

The great model of a political spouse--apolitical, independent, absolutely not part of a two fer one--has died. RIP, Denis Thatcher. Sympathies to the brilliant but ailing Maggie.



Sir Denis Thatcher Dies
Sky News

Sir Denis Thatcher, husband of former Prime Minister Lady Thatcher, has died aged 88 in a London hospital.A spokesman for the family said: "Sir Denis Thatcher passed away peacefully this morning in the Lister Hospital after a short illness.

"His family were with him at his bedside when he died."

Sir Denis underwent a five-hour heart bypass operation in January.

He appeared to have recovered but returned to hospital a fortnight ago after feeling unwell.

Politicians of all parties have paid tribute to Sir Denis as a loyal consort , good sport and gentleman.

Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said he was "devastated" by news of his death.

"Denis Thatcher was one of the most decent, determined and kind people that we have known," Mr Duncan Smith said.

Tony Blair sent his "deepest sympathy" to Lady Thatcher and the rest of Sir Denis's family.

"He was a successful businessman, a devoted family man, loyal friend and always entertaining company," Mr Blair said.

Sir Denis was thrust into the spotlight as the consort to Britain's first woman Prime Minister.


His loyalty to his wife became legendary during her 10 years in Downing Street.

Former Prime Minister, John Major, who took over from Lady Thatcher, told Sky News: "It is difficult to overestimate his importance."

He told how Number 10 could be "an incredribly lonely place" but "however tough this got for Margaret, Denis never stood back at a distance."

He gained fame in his own right through Private Eye's "Dear Bill" letters.

This was a long-running spoof correspondence with his real-life friends Lord Bill Deedes, the former Daily Telegraph editor.

Sir Denis played up to the gin and gold image it created but in reality he was an astute millionaire businessman.

Lady Thatcher described him as the "golden thread" running through her life and often said that she could not have achieved what she did without his loyalty, love and support.

He would comfort her in times of stress and although he never gave interviews could be savage in private about her opponents.

Lady Thatcher's former press secretary, Sir Bernard Ingham, told Sky News: "It's a very sad day because the former Prime Minister has lost her mainstay.

"She's not all that well in herself in terms of loss of memory. Therefore, I don't think she's going to find it easy to recover."

[moneyp]

"She's not all that well in herself in terms of loss of memory. Therefore, I don't think she's going to find it easy to recover."

I haven't been keeping up. What's wrong with Mags?

[Tom Storer]

Sir Denis was pushing 90? He must have been at least a decade older than Maggie, no, if not more? I didn't know she was ailing either.

[Dr Dave]

The ur-househusband meets his end. I hope Lady Thatcher is not in poor health. I disagreed violently with much (but not all) of her politics, but always had greatest respect for her ethics and intelligence.

[Monte Smith]

Margaret Thatcher has had more than one stroke and has retired from public life. She really was a formidable woman in her prime, God bless her.