Mikhail Gorbachev
Still popular and in demand: although he has long since ceased to have a say in world politics, Mikhail Gorbachev has a schedule like that of a top politician in October 1997: five days in Germany - 53 events. Lectures, autograph sessions, book presentations - the 66-year-old former General Secretary of the CPSU and President of the Supreme Soviet, whose name is inseparably linked with the opening up of the Eastern bloc, enjoys great popularity among Western politicians and entrepreneurs. The Caucasian-born president lives with his wife Raissa (63) at his country estate near Moscow. The couple has been married for 44 years, has a daughter, Irina, and two grandchildren, Anastasija (17) and Xenia (10). (teu). [automated translation]