Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev (Russian: Михаи́л Серге́евич Горбачёв; born on March 2, 1931, and passed away on August 30, 2022) was a prominent Russian and former Soviet political figure. He holds the distinction of being the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev served as the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Additionally, he was the head of state from 1988 to 1991, holding various key positions including the chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1988 to 1989, chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 1989 to 1990, and ultimately president of the Soviet Union from 1990 until 1991. While he started with a foundation in Marxism–Leninism, Gorbachev's political ideology evolved during the early 1990s, leading him towards the principles of social democracy. His tenure was marked by significant reforms and a shift in Soviet policies, which had lasting impacts on both the nation and the world stage. Gorbachev's legacy is often associated with efforts to promote openness (glasnost) and restructuring (perestroika), which played a crucial role in the eventual end of the Soviet Union.
