LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May, who on Tuesday called for a snap election, has forged a reputation as a no-nonsense pragmatist seeking to lead the country through one of the most tumultuous periods of its history.
Britain's second female leader after fellow Conservative Margaret Thatcher, May took over the helm of government in July last year after the country's shock vote to leave the European Union after four decades of membership.
She was officially -- but unenthusiastically -- in favour of Britain staying in the European Union and had kept a low profile throughout the often poisonous and polarising campaign.
But after stepping into the political vacuum left by David Cameron's decision to quit -- becoming prime minister without winning an election -- her constant refrain was "Brexit means Brexit".
But she faced a struggle to keep together a country deeply divided by the referendum, with Scotland planning to hold a new referendum on its independence.
After formally launching the divorce process from the European Union in late March, May insisted there could be "no turning back" from the historic decision and appealed for national unity.
- 'Bloody difficult woman' -
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The clergyman's daughter was once labelled by senior Conservative Kenneth Clarke in an unguarded moment, a "bloody difficult woman."
But the 59-year-old claimed this was the very quality which would stand her in good stead for the battles ahead.
May was born Theresa Brasier in the southern English seaside town of Eastbourne in 1956.
Her father Hubert was an Anglican clergyman, one of several points which has drawn comparisons between May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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