Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985, opened up the Soviet Union and introduced reforms that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Mr. Gorbachev introduced reforms but was unable to stop the consequences that followed his reforms which eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, creation of present nation of Russia and other nations that are part of the old Soviet Union.
Sources at the Moscow hospital where he died said he had been suffering from a serious illness.
He had been in and out of hospitals in the past years due to his failing health, though the cause of his death has not been announced.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin has expressed his deep condolences on the death of Gorbachev.
US President Joe Biden, described him as a ‘rare leader’ who had the “imagination to see that a different future was possible” in the midst of tensions of the Cold War.
World leaders have continued to pay tribute to him. The UN Secretary General, Mr. Guterres, in a Twitter tribute, said, “The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace.”