World leaders, politicians and celebrities from U.S. President Barack Obama to British singer Harry Styles have remembered former U.K. Prime Minister (Pm) Margaret Thatcher following her death on Monday (08Apr13).

The veteran Conservative leader passed away at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke, and her death prompted an outpouring of messages from the world of politics, including tributes from current U.K. leader David Cameron, former Pms Tony Blair and John Major, and London Mayor Boris Johnson.

American leader Barack Obama also released a statement hailing Thatcher as an inspiration to women across the world, saying, "The world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend. As a grocer's daughter who rose to become Britain's first female prime minister, she stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can't be shattered."

Former British Pm Tony Blair, who led the rival Labour Party, says, "Very few leaders get to change not only the political landscape of their country but of the world. Margaret was such a leader. Her global impact was vast. You could not disrespect her character or her contribution to Britain's national life."

The news also hit the world of celebrity, with former Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell hailing the Iron Lady as her inspiration, writing in a post on Twitter.com, "Thinking of our 1st lady of girl power, Margaret Thatcher, a green grocer's daughter who taught me any thing is possible..."

Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins also references the Spice Girls' 'girl power' slogan when remembering the U.K.'s first female prime minister, writing, "Rip Baroness Thatcher. I will always fondly remember the afternoon tea & chat at your home. Girl power."

Duran Duran star Simon Le Bon added, "Goodbye to Mrs Margaret Thatcher," while One Direction's Harry Styles, who was born in 1994, four years after Thatcher stepped down as U.K. leader, offered, "Rip Baroness Thatcher x".

Funnyman Stephen Fry was travelling when news of Thatcher's death broke, and he was stunned to hear of her passing as soon as his plane landed: "Was in the air when the news came in about Margaret Thatcher. Such a force in Britain through my university days through to my 30s," and Joan Collins concludes, "Very sad Baroness Thatcher has died she was a great Prime Minister. She never gave up and never gave in, more than you can say for some."

Newsman Piers Morgan adds, "Brave, divisive, formidable, tough, stubborn, dominant & domineering, Margaret Thatcher bestrode the world like a political colossus. Rip... Love her or hate her, few British Prime Ministers in history were so well known, or so admired, here in America."

American actress Elizabeth Banks writes, "Rip Margaret Thatcher. A role model for women & young girls across the world. Also, my high school Halloween costume."