Mark Thatcher

Who is Mark Thatcher?

Sir Mark Thatcher, 2nd Baronet is the son of Margaret Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, former Conservative British Prime Minister, and Sir Denis Thatcher, 1st Baronet, and the twin brother of Carol Thatcher. He has two children by his first wife, Diane Burgdorf; Michael Thatcher, and Amanda Margaret Thatcher. He married his second wife, Sarah-Jane Russell, daughter of Terry Clemence, a wealthy property developer, and sister of Viscountess Rothermere, in 2008.

On the death of his father in 2003 he became 'Sir Mark Thatcher' when he succeeded to the Thatcher baronetcy, a hereditary title which had unusually been given to his father in 1990.

His early career in business frequently led to questions being raised that he was benefiting from his mother's position, notably in relation to the Al-Yamamah arms deal. In 2004 the Sunday Times estimated his wealth at £60 million, most of which they suggested was in offshore accounts. In 2005 he was convicted and given a four-year suspended jail sentence and a fine in South Africa in relation to the 2004 Equatorial Guinea coup d'état attempt.