Masha Gessen

Date of Birth: January 13, 1967

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Masha Gessen is a renowned Russian-American journalist, author, and activist known for her insightful and often critical writings on Russian politics, LGBTQ rights, and authoritarianism. Born in the Soviet Union, Gessen emigrated to the United States with her family in the early 1980s. She has written extensively for publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, and is the author of several highly acclaimed books. Gessen’s work often focuses on the intersection of politics and personal identity, providing a unique perspective on contemporary issues. She has received numerous awards for her journalism and literary contributions, including the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2017 for her book “The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia.”

5 Interesting Facts about Masha Gessen

1. Masha Gessen has dual citizenship in both Russia and the United States.

2. She is openly lesbian and has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights throughout her career.

3. Gessen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and underwent a double mastectomy, which she wrote about in her memoir “Blood Matters.”

4. She has received several prestigious awards, including the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2017.

5. Gessen served as the director of the Russian service for Radio Liberty from 2012 to 2013 but was dismissed due to her critical stance on the Russian government.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Masha Gessen

1. “The truth does not bring us closer together. All it does is remind us of how far apart we are.”

2. “Putin is a man from a small town who saw the big world and decided to make the big world into a series of small towns.”

3. “Totalitarianism is not just a political system but a state of the soul.”

4. “The point of propaganda isn’t only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.”

5. “To survive in a totalitarian society, you have to become a liar. And, eventually, a liar is what you become.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

$2 million (estimated)

Children

Masha Gessen has three children. She has written about her experiences as a parent and the challenges of raising her children in both Russia and the United States.