Golda Meir (May 3, 1898 - December 8, 1978) was an Israeli politician who served as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974. She was Israel's first and only female head of government, the first female head of government in the Middle East, and the fourth elected female head of government or state in the world. She has been described as the "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics, with a reputation for being down-to-earth and a persuasive speaker.