Nikita Khrushchev

Date of Birth: April 15, 1894

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: September 11, 1971

Biography

Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev was a prominent Soviet statesman who led the Soviet Union during part of the Cold War as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964, and as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or Premier, from 1958 to 1964. Born into a poor family in Kalinovka, Russia, Khrushchev worked his way up through the ranks of the Communist Party and played a key role in the de-Stalinization of the Soviet Union, advocating for more liberal reforms in various aspects of Soviet life. His tenure was marked by significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war, and the launch of the first human-made satellite, Sputnik. Khrushchev was known for his bold and sometimes reckless political maneuvers, as well as his colorful personality. His famous “Secret Speech” in 1956 denounced the atrocities committed under Joseph Stalin’s rule, which had a profound impact on the direction of Soviet policies and the broader communist movement. Despite his initial popularity and efforts to reform the Soviet system, Khrushchev was removed from power in 1964 and lived the rest of his life in relative obscurity until his death in 1971.

5 Interesting Facts about Nikita Khrushchev

1. Khrushchev was the first Soviet leader to visit the United States, which he did in 1959.

2. He is famous for his outburst at the United Nations General Assembly in 1960, where he allegedly banged his shoe on the podium.

3. Under his leadership, the Soviet Union launched the first human-made satellite, Sputnik, in 1957.

4. Khrushchev played a crucial role in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

5. He initiated several agricultural reforms, including the Virgin Lands Campaign, aimed at boosting Soviet food production.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Nikita Khrushchev

1. “We will bury you!”

2. “Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will dig you in.”

3. “Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river.”

4. “If you live among wolves, you have to act like a wolf.”

5. “Call it what you will, incentives are what get people to work harder.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a state leader of a communist country, Khrushchev did not accumulate personal wealth in the way contemporary capitalists might. His net worth is therefore not applicable in the conventional sense.

Children

Nikita Khrushchev had five children: 1. Leonid Khrushchev (1917–1943): A fighter pilot who died during World War II. 2. Yulia Khrushcheva (1916–1981): His daughter from his first marriage to Yefrosinia Khrushcheva. 3. Rada Adzhubei (1929–2016): A journalist and editor, married to Alexei Adzhubei. 4. Sergei Khrushchev (1935–2020): A scientist and engineer who later moved to the United States and became a naturalized American citizen. 5. Elena Khrushcheva (1937–1972): Worked as an editor and translator.