Joseph Stalin (1878 – 1953) was perhaps the most dominant man in the history of the USSR, a leader with absolute power. Nevertheless, closeness to such a paramount figure didn’t bring happiness to his nearest relatives.

Joseph Stalin’s name sparks controversy in Russia even now, as some people consider him a patriotic hero and others curse him as a paranoid villain. If there’s a thing most agree on, it’s the fact, Stalin was hard to deal with – even for his relatives.

(more…)