Autographed photo of the politician Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev is a Soviet and Russian statesman, political, party and public figure. During Gorbachev's tenure as head of state and head of the CPSU, the Soviet Union underwent major changes: perestroika, the introduction of glasnost policy, "new political thinking", freedom of speech and the press, democratic elections, the reform of the socialist economy towards a market model, the end of the Cold War, the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, and the collapse of the USSR and the Warsaw Bloc.

A photo from the Stargift collection shows Mikhail Gorbachev with his wife and a delegation during an official event.

An important aspect of Gorbachev's policy was "glasnost" - greater openness and freedom of speech. This measure has become key to the country's transition to more democratic structures. Mikhail Gorbachev was true to his views and showed them even in his personal life. Interestingly, he publicly showed warmth to his wife, often took her hand and always stood by her side, which was unusual for top Soviet leaders.

Raisa Gorbacheva, Mikhail Gorbachev's wife, was in the spotlight as the first lady of the Soviet Union. For the first time officially, Raisa Gorbachev tried on this image during a visit to the UK to meet with Margaret Thatcher. She accompanied her husband on his foreign trips to strengthen international relations, as well as Soviet political and cultural events.

Increasingly, journalists began to pay attention to Gorbacheva's fashionable fur coats and suits. The First lady was quickly recognized as one of the most stylish women in the USSR. Later, she shared that she dresses at the All-Union Fashion House on Kuznetsky Most, where other stars of that time, such as Alla Pugacheva and Slava Zaitsev, often visited. Her style has been described as subtle, intelligent, restrained and romantic.

In addition, Raisa took an active part in public and educational activities, was the chairman of the Public Fund for Support of Educational Restructuring, which was engaged in reforms in the educational system of the Soviet Union. Contemporaries noted that she did a lot for the freedom of the creative intelligentsia: artists, poets, singers and the press. Under the Gorbachevs, it became possible to read, watch, see and get a good book.