| LONDON, July 17 (Xinhuanet) -- British former Prime Minister Edward Heath died Sunday at the age of 89, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported.
Sir Edward, who was knighted in 1992, won his first seat for the Conservative Tories in 1950 and led the 1970-74 Conservative Government.
He took Britain into the European Economic Community and sent troops to Northern Ireland. In 1975 he lost the leadership to Margaret Thatcher.
Sir Edward's term in office was blighted by industrial action and problems with the economy.
After more than 50 years as an MP he retired from politics in 2001.
In 2003, Sir Edward's health deteriorated while he was on holiday in Austria.
He was being treated for a minor stomach upset at a hospital when tests revealed he was suffering from a pulmonary embolism - ablood clot on the lung.
Sir Edward, a bachelor, was famed for his love of music and sailing, in which he competed at international level. Enditem
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