Raisa Gorbacheva facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raisa Gorbacheva
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Spouse of the President of the Soviet Union | |
| In office 15 March 1990 – 25 December 1991 |
|
| President | Mikhail Gorbachev |
| Spouse of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union | |
| In office 11 March 1985 – 24 August 1991 |
|
| Preceded by | Anna Chernenko |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Spouse of the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union | |
| In office 25 May 1989 – 15 March 1990 |
|
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Ludmila Lukyanova |
| Spouse of the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union | |
| In office 1 October 1988 – 25 May 1989 |
|
| Preceded by | Lydia Gromyko |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Raisa Maximovna Titarenko
5 January 1932 Rubtsovsk, West Siberian Krai, Russian SFSR, USSR |
| Died | 20 September 1999 (aged 67) Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
| Cause of death | Leukemia |
| Resting place | Novodevichy Cemetery |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Moscow State University |
| Profession | Philosopher |
Raisa Maximovna Gorbacheva (Russian: Раиса Максимовна Горбачёва tr. Raisa Maksimovna Gorbachyova, née Titarenko, Титаренко; 5 January 1932 – 20 September 1999) was an important Russian activist. She was married to Mikhail Gorbachev, who was the leader of the Soviet Union. Raisa worked hard to protect Russian culture. She also helped new talents grow and supported programs to treat children with blood cancer.
Early Life and Public Role
Raisa Maximovna Titarenko was born on January 5, 1932. Her birthplace was Rubtsovsk in Siberia. She was the oldest of three children. Her father was a railway engineer. Her mother was from Siberia. Raisa spent her childhood near the Ural Mountains. She met Mikhail Gorbachev while studying philosophy in Moscow. She earned a special degree from the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute. She also taught for a short time at Moscow State University.
Raisa married Mikhail Gorbachev in September 1953. After graduating, they moved to Stavropol in southern Russia. There, she taught philosophy. In 1957, she gave birth to their only child, Irina Mikhailovna. When her husband became a rising official in the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Raisa became a lecturer at Moscow State University.
She left her teaching job when her husband became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. Raisa became the "first lady" of the Soviet Union. Her public appearances with her husband were new for the country. She helped make the Soviet Union seem more friendly to the world. She was one of the few wives of a communist leader to have such a public role.
On June 1, 1990, Raisa Gorbacheva visited Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She was with Barbara Bush, the U.S. first lady. Both women spoke to the graduating class. They talked about the role of women in society. American TV networks showed their speeches live around the world. A political event in 1991 tried to remove her husband from power. This event, known as the Soviet Coup, deeply affected Raisa. She suffered a small stroke on the last day. After this, the Gorbachevs lived a quieter life.
Charity Work and Legacy
Raisa Gorbacheva was very active in charity work. In 1989, she gave $100,000 to a charity called "International Association of Hematologists of the World for Children." This and other donations from the Gorbachevs helped buy equipment for blood banks. They also helped train Russian doctors abroad. This work was important for treating children with blood diseases.
In October 1993, Raisa suffered a stroke. However, she continued her work. In 1997, she started the Raisa Maksimovna's Club. This club aimed to encourage women to get involved in politics. She also worked to raise awareness about children's issues. She often welcomed groups of young people to the Kremlin.
In July 1999, doctors diagnosed her with leukemia, a type of blood cancer. She traveled to Münster, Germany, for treatment. She received care for two months. Sadly, she passed away on September 20, 1999, at age 67. Her body was brought back to Russia. She was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
In 2006, her family created the Raisa Gorbacheva Foundation. This foundation raises money to help children who have cancer.
See also
In Spanish: Raísa Gorbachova para niños
