I'm not sure that the term "Iron Lady" was intended to be a compliment.

The Blessed Margaret was happy to wear the garb of a lady, high-heeled shoes with matching handbag, pearls with matching earrings. One could not be a proper Tory lady without them. She was a chemist but seemed to prefer to describe herself as a grocer's daughter.

Incidentally, I've always thought that the possession of a millionaire "significant other" to be a big asset in politics. Both the Blessed Margaret and the People's Tony (Blair) are the smaller earners in their households.