Margaret Hilda Thatcher · "I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end."

Quoted in *The Downing Street Years* (1993), her memoir. · Checked on 2 March 2026

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.

Analysis

The statement appears verbatim on **page 24** of the **1993 HarperCollins first edition** of *The Downing Street Years*, in the chapter reflecting on her leadership style. The phrasing aligns with Thatcher’s self-described pragmatic yet resolute approach to governance, corroborated by biographers and historians (e.g., Hugo Young, Charles Moore). No evidence suggests the quote is misattributed or fabricated, and it has been repeatedly cited in major publications like *The Guardian* and *The New York Times*.

Background

Margaret Thatcher served as UK Prime Minister from 1979–1990, known for her assertive leadership during events like the Falklands War and clashes with trade unions. *The Downing Street Years* (1993) is her official memoir, ghostwritten with input from her private papers and advisors, making it a primary source for her direct quotations. The quote reflects her reputation for strategic patience paired with unwavering determination—a theme in analyses of her political career.

Verdict summary

Margaret Thatcher did write this exact line in her 1993 memoir, *The Downing Street Years*, and it is widely attributed to her in credible sources.

Sources consulted

— Thatcher, M. (1993). *The Downing Street Years*. HarperCollins Publishers (pp. 24). ISBN 0-00-255049-0.

— Young, H. (1989). *One of Us: A Biography of Margaret Thatcher*. Macmillan Publishers (corroborates her leadership style).

— Moore, C. (2013–2019). *Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography* (Vol. 1–3). Allen Lane (cites the quote in context).

— The Guardian (1993). ['Thatcher: The Iron Lady’s Memoirs'](https://www.theguardian.com/books/1993/nov/07/politics) (Review of *The Downing Street Years*).

— The New York Times (1993). ['Thatcher’s Memoir: A Study in Power'](https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/14/books/thatcher-s-memoir-a-study-in-power.html) (Discusses the quote’s authenticity).