# Theresa May

> Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019

**Wikidata**: [Q264766](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q264766)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theresa_May)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/theresa-may

## Summary

Theresa May is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019, becoming the second woman to hold this position after Margaret Thatcher. Born Theresa Mary Brasier on October 1, 1956, she is known for her tenure as Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016 before ascending to the premiership, and for her role in steering the UK through Brexit negotiations. She is also notable for being a graduate of St Hugh's College, Oxford, and for receiving numerous honors including the Time 100 listing of influential people and various Queen Elizabeth II jubilee medals.

## Biography

- **Born**: October 1, 1956
- **Nationality**: United Kingdom
- **Full Name**: Theresa Mary Brasier (married name Theresa Mary May)
- **Education**: St Hugh's College, University of Oxford (college inception: 1886)
- **Known for**: Serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019; second woman to hold the office; leading the UK through Brexit negotiations
- **Employer(s)**: UK Government (Prime Minister's Office), Conservative Party, Bank of England (related organization as central bank)
- **Field(s)**: Politics, Government, Public Administration
- **Political Party**: Conservative Party

### Aliases
- Theresa Mary Brasier
- Prime Minister Theresa May
- Prime Minister May
- Prime Minister Theresa Mary May
- PM Theresa May
- PM Theresa Mary May
- PM May
- Theresa Mary May
- Baroness May of Maidenhead

### Identifiers
- Date of Birth: October 1, 1956
- Wikidata ID: Q264766
- IMDb ID: nm1776158
- Twitter: @theresa_may
- Instagram: @theresamayofficial
- YouTube: TheresaMayOfficial
- Facebook: TheresaMayOfficial

## Contributions

### Political Leadership

1. **Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2016-2019)**
   - Became Prime Minister on July 13, 2016, following David Cameron's resignation after the Brexit referendum
   - Served until May 24, 2019, making her the second-longest continuously serving Prime Minister of the 2010s
   - Second woman to serve as Prime Minister, after Margaret Thatcher

2. **Second May Ministry (2017-2019)**
   - Government of the United Kingdom formed after the 2017 general election
   - Inception: June 11, 2017

3. **Home Secretary (2010-2016)**
   - Served as Home Secretary in the Cameron government
   - One of the longest-serving Home Secretaries in modern British history

4. **Conservative Party Leadership**
   - Succeeded Archie Norman as Conservative Party leader (born 1954, British politician)
   - First woman to lead a major political party in the UK since Margaret Thatcher

### Policy Contributions

- **Brexit Negotiations**: Led the UK's exit negotiations from the European Union following the 2016 referendum
- **Domestic Policy**: Focused on immigration reform, counter-terrorism, and economic policy during her tenure

### Public Recognition

- **Time 100**: Listed in Time Magazine's annual listing of 100 influential people
- **Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud**: Received this order (inception: March 20, 1971) from Saudi Arabia
- **Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal** (2002)
- **Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal** (2012)
- **Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal**

## FAQs

### What was Theresa May's political career before becoming Prime Minister?

Before becoming Prime Minister, Theresa May served as Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016 under Prime Minister David Cameron, making her one of the longest-serving Home Secretaries in modern British history. She also held various other ministerial positions within the Conservative Party government.

### What is Theresa May known for?

Theresa May is best known for serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2019, becoming the second woman to hold this position. She is particularly noted for her role in steering the UK through Brexit negotiations and for her tenure as Home Secretary, where she focused on immigration reform and counter-terrorism policies.

### Where did Theresa May receive her education?

Theresa May was educated at St Hugh's College, Oxford, which was founded in 1886. She graduated from the University of Oxford, one of the world's most prestigious universities.

### What honors and awards has Theresa May received?

Theresa May has received several honors including the Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud from Saudi Arabia, inclusion in Time Magazine's Time 100 list of influential people, and Queen Elizabeth II jubilee medals (Golden 2002, Diamond 2012, and Platinum 2022).

### What was Theresa May's role in Brexit?

As Prime Minister from 2016 to 2019, Theresa May led the UK's negotiations to exit the European Union following the 2016 referendum. She oversaw the formulation of the Brexit deal and attempted to get parliamentary approval for the withdrawal agreement.

### What is Theresa May's current title?

Following her resignation as Prime Minister, Theresa May was granted the title Baroness May of Maidenhead, allowing her to continue serving in the House of Lords.

## Why They Matter

Theresa May's significance in British and global politics stems from several key factors. As the second woman to serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, she broke important ground in British politics and served as a role model for women in leadership positions. Her tenure during one of the most tumultuous periods in modern British history—the Brexit process—cemented her place in the nation's political history.

May's leadership during the Brexit negotiations demonstrated her ability to navigate complex international negotiations while managing intense domestic political pressure. Despite facing significant challenges, including multiple parliamentary defeats on her Brexit deal and internal party divisions, she maintained the UK's position in ongoing negotiations with the European Union.

Her prior role as Home Secretary for six years made her the longest-serving Home Secretary in recent decades, during which she implemented significant changes to immigration policy and counter-terrorism measures. This experience provided her with the foundation to handle the complex political landscape she would encounter as Prime Minister.

The impact of her work extends beyond her specific policy achievements. May's leadership style, characterized by determination and resilience in the face of adversity, influenced the Conservative Party's direction and the broader political discourse on issues including immigration, national security, and the UK's place in the world. Her ability to remain in office for nearly three years during such a politically volatile period demonstrated her political acumen and endurance.

Without Theresa May's leadership, the UK's approach to Brexit would have taken a different form, and the historical significance of having a second female Prime Minister would have been delayed. Her contributions to British political life continue to influence policy discussions and political leadership models.

## Notable For

- **Second Female Prime Minister**: Became the second woman to serve as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, following Margaret Thatcher
- **Longest-serving Home Secretary**: Served as Home Secretary from 2010 to 2016, one of the longest tenures in modern history
- **Brexit Leadership**: Led the UK through the Brexit negotiations from 2016 to 2019
- **Time 100 Recognition**: Named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people
- **Oxford Education**: Graduate of St Hugh's College, Oxford (founded 1886)
- **Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud**: Received this prestigious Saudi Arabian honor
- **Jubilee Medals**: Awarded Queen Elizabeth II Golden (2002), Diamond (2012), and Platinum (2022) Jubilee Medals
- **Conservative Party Leadership**: First woman to lead the Conservative Party since Margaret Thatcher

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Theresa Mary Brasier was born on October 1, 1956. She received her higher education at St Hugh's College, Oxford, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. St Hugh's College was founded in 1886 and is located in Oxford, England. May graduated from Oxford with a degree in geography, which provided her with the analytical and policy foundations that would later support her political career.

Her educational background at one of Britain's most prestigious universities placed her among the intellectual leadership of the Conservative Party and provided her with the analytical skills necessary for the complex policy work she would undertake throughout her career.

### Political Career Before Prime Ministership

Before becoming Prime Minister, Theresa May built an extensive political career within the Conservative Party. Her rise through the political ranks included serving in various ministerial positions, but her most significant pre-Prime Minister role was as Home Secretary.

**Home Secretary (2010-2016)**: May served as Home Secretary from May 2010 to July 2016, first in the Cameron-Clegg coalition government and then in the subsequent Cameron majority government. This six-year tenure made her one of the longest-serving Home Secretaries in modern British history. During this period, she was responsible for immigration policy, counter-terrorism, and police reform. Her tenure was marked by controversial but significant policy decisions regarding immigration controls and the "Hostile Environment" policy for illegal immigrants.

**Conservative Party Leadership**: Theresa May was elected as Leader of the Conservative Party in July 2016, succeeding Archie Norman (born 1954), and became Prime Minister on July 13, 2016. She was the first woman to lead the Conservative Party since Margaret Thatcher, and only the second woman in British history to become Prime Minister.

### Prime Ministership (2016-2019)

Theresa May became Prime Minister on July 13, 2016, following David Cameron's resignation after the Brexit referendum. Her ascension to the premiership came at one of the most challenging times in modern British history, as the country prepared to leave the European Union.

**Second May Ministry**: After the 2017 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament, May formed the Second May Ministry on June 11, 2017. This government faced the daunting task of negotiating the UK's exit from the European Union while maintaining a narrow parliamentary majority dependent on the Democratic Unionist Party.

**Brexit Negotiations**: As Prime Minister, May led the UK's Brexit negotiations with the European Union. She formulated the UK's withdrawal agreement and attempted to secure parliamentary approval for it. The negotiations involved complex issues including the financial settlement, citizens' rights, the Irish border question, and the future trade relationship between the UK and EU.

May's tenure as Prime Minister lasted until May 24, 2019, when she announced her resignation as Conservative Party leader. She remained in office until July 24, 2019, when Boris Johnson succeeded her. During her nearly three-year premiership, she became one of the most prominent political figures in the UK and played a central role in shaping the country's post-Brexit future.

### Post-Prime Ministerial Career

Following her resignation as Prime Minister, Theresa May was granted a life peerage, becoming Baroness May of Maidenhead. This allowed her to continue her political involvement in the House of Lords, where she could contribute to legislative debates and scrutiny.

### Recognition and Honors

Theresa May has received numerous honors throughout her career:

- **Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud**: This Saudi Arabian order (inception: March 20, 1971) was awarded to May in recognition of her diplomatic and political work.
- **Time 100**: She was named in Time Magazine's annual listing of 100 influential people, recognizing her global impact as a world leader.
- **Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal** (2002): Awarded to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession.
- **Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal** (2012): Awarded to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
- **Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal**: Awarded to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

### Personal Life and Attributes

Theresa May married Sir Philip May in 1980. She is known for her distinctive fashion sense, particularly her signature leopard print shoes, which became a recognizable part of her public persona.

Her physical height is recorded as 172.72 centimeters (approximately 5 feet 8 inches).

### Digital and Media Presence

May has maintained a significant presence across various social media platforms:

- Twitter: @theresa_may
- Instagram: @theresamayofficial
- YouTube: TheresaMayOfficial
- Facebook: TheresaMayOfficial

Her website, https://www.tmay.co.uk, served as a platform for her communications as Prime Minister.

### Legacy and Influence

Theresa May's legacy in British politics is multifaceted. As only the second female Prime Minister in UK history, she broke important ground for women in British politics. Her tenure during the Brexit process ensured that the UK navigated one of the most significant constitutional changes in modern British history.

Her approach to leadership, characterized by determination and resilience in the face of intense political pressure, has been widely discussed and analyzed. The policies she implemented as Home Secretary, particularly regarding immigration and counter-terrorism, continue to shape British policy today.

May's influence extends beyond her specific policy achievements. She demonstrated that women could reach the highest levels of British government, inspiring future generations of female politicians. Her handling of the Brexit negotiations, while controversial, established important precedents for how future UK-EU negotiations would be conducted.

The historical significance of her term as Prime Minister—coming at a pivotal moment in British history—ensures that Theresa May will be remembered as one of the most important political figures of her generation. Her contributions to British politics, whether through her policy work or her trailblazing role as a female leader, have left an indelible mark on the nation's political landscape.

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33. Davos 2017 Participant List
34. Davos 2018 Participant List
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