Russian and Soviet politician Mikhail Gorbachev passed away on August 30, 2022, at the age of 91. He was hospitalized at Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital. Following his death, the hospital issued a statement saying that he had died after suffering from a severe and prolonged illness.Reports say that he had been battling health issues for a long time. His condition worsened in 2020, following which he was under the continuous care of doctors. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his grief over Gorbachev’s death. US president Joe Biden also paid tribute to the former Soviet leader in a statement released by the White House: “As leader of the USSR, he worked with President Reagan to reduce our two countries’ nuclear arsenals, to the relief of people worldwide praying for an end to the nuclear arms race.”Ed O'Keefe@edokeefeINBOX: @POTUS Biden on the death of #MikhailGorbachev: “Mikhail Gorbachev was a man of remarkable vision.”3211INBOX: @POTUS Biden on the death of #MikhailGorbachev: “Mikhail Gorbachev was a man of remarkable vision.” https://t.co/8SF3yipC8cMikhail Gorbachev was the longest-living ruler in Russia’s history followed by lawyer and revolutionary Alexander Kerensky and Russian Soviet politician Vasili Kuznetsov.As specified in his will, Gorbachev will be buried alongside his wife Raisa at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow."This legacy is one we will not forget": Twitter flooded with tributes for Mikhael GorbachevNumerous globally renowned figures like European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, and Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheal Martin expressed their condolences over Gorbachev’s death. Here are some of the tributes on Twitter:Ursula von der Leyen@vonderleyenMikhail Gorbachev was a trusted and respected leader. He played a crucial role to end the Cold War and bring down the Iron Curtain. It opened the way for a free Europe.This legacy is one we will not forget. R.I.P Mikhail Gorbachev97321612Mikhail Gorbachev was a trusted and respected leader. He played a crucial role to end the Cold War and bring down the Iron Curtain. It opened the way for a free Europe.This legacy is one we will not forget. R.I.P Mikhail GorbachevBoris Johnson@BorisJohnsonI'm saddened to hear of the death of Gorbachev. I always admired the courage & integrity he showed in bringing the Cold War to a peaceful conclusion. In a time of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, his tireless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to us all.5768895I'm saddened to hear of the death of Gorbachev. I always admired the courage & integrity he showed in bringing the Cold War to a peaceful conclusion. In a time of Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, his tireless commitment to opening up Soviet society remains an example to us all.Condoleezza Rice@CondoleezzaRiceI am saddened to hear of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev. He was a man who tried to deliver a better life for his people. His life was consequential because, without him and his courage, it would not have been possible to end the Cold War peacefully.3599402I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev. He was a man who tried to deliver a better life for his people. His life was consequential because, without him and his courage, it would not have been possible to end the Cold War peacefully.Micheál Martin@MichealMartinTDSaddened to hear of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev.His sense of history, and commitment to openness, reform, and building bridges with the West, changed the world.63874Saddened to hear of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev.His sense of history, and commitment to openness, reform, and building bridges with the West, changed the world.Arnold@SchwarzeneggerThere’s an old saying, “Never meet your heroes.” I think that’s some of the worst advice I’ve ever heard. Mikhail Gorbachev was one of my heroes, and it was an honor and a joy to meet him. I was unbelievably lucky to call him a friend. All of us can learn from his fantastic life.9584976There’s an old saying, “Never meet your heroes.” I think that’s some of the worst advice I’ve ever heard. Mikhail Gorbachev was one of my heroes, and it was an honor and a joy to meet him. I was unbelievably lucky to call him a friend. All of us can learn from his fantastic life. https://t.co/All5suSke1Anthony Albanese@AlboMPMikhail Gorbachev helped to bring an end to the Cold War and changed the world for the better. May he rest in peace.1404194Mikhail Gorbachev helped to bring an end to the Cold War and changed the world for the better. May he rest in peace. https://t.co/iXOwhgaRwuFranak Viačorka@franakviacorkaThe last leader of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, has died.34801289The last leader of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, has died. https://t.co/aX2SBqfqS0António Guterres@antonioguterresMikhail Gorbachev was a one-of-a kind statesman who changed the course of history.The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace.I’m deeply saddened by his passing.1632493Mikhail Gorbachev was a one-of-a kind statesman who changed the course of history.The world has lost a towering global leader, committed multilateralist, and tireless advocate for peace.I’m deeply saddened by his passing. https://t.co/giu2RHSjrQRupert Myers@RupertMyersMikhail Gorbachev has died aged 91. A huge figure who won the Nobel Peace prize and helped bring Europe out of the Cold War. An example of how much better Russian leaders can be than the poisoner Vladimir Putin. Rest in peace.1373290Mikhail Gorbachev has died aged 91. A huge figure who won the Nobel Peace prize and helped bring Europe out of the Cold War. An example of how much better Russian leaders can be than the poisoner Vladimir Putin. Rest in peace.Oliver Jia (オリバー・ジア)@OliverJia1014Mikhail Gorbachev, last president of the Soviet Union, has died at age 91. It’s truly the end of an era.Gorbachev was a pragmatic statesman who made his decisions knowing the USSR was at its end.Highly recommend the excellent documentary Werner Herzog did on his life in 2018.936125Mikhail Gorbachev, last president of the Soviet Union, has died at age 91. It’s truly the end of an era.Gorbachev was a pragmatic statesman who made his decisions knowing the USSR was at its end.Highly recommend the excellent documentary Werner Herzog did on his life in 2018. https://t.co/1HqYA94Fz4Morgan Cameron Ross@Morgan_C_RossSoviet Leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, has passed away at 92. Here he is in a 1998 Pizza Hut commercial.559208Soviet Leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, has passed away at 92. Here he is in a 1998 Pizza Hut commercial. https://t.co/saEwHfyBrOJohn Simpson@JohnSimpsonNewsReally sad that Mikhail Gorbachev has died: a decent, well intentioned, principled man who tried to rescue the unrescuable. ‘I studied the law & saw it wasn’t observed in our country.’ In private he was charming & surprisingly amusing. It wasn’t his fault things went so wrong.4016513Really sad that Mikhail Gorbachev has died: a decent, well intentioned, principled man who tried to rescue the unrescuable. ‘I studied the law & saw it wasn’t observed in our country.’ In private he was charming & surprisingly amusing. It wasn’t his fault things went so wrong.Brendan May@bmayRest in peace, Mikhail Gorbachev. My god, you aimed for better.4316499Rest in peace, Mikhail Gorbachev. My god, you aimed for better. https://t.co/Q1YfWMIUDkDan Rather@DanRatherAt inflection points in history some leaders rise, others falter. Mikhail Gorbachev, who passed away today, rose to make our world safer. He was imperfect, as we all are. But he had a vision for stability over chaos and ultimately freedom over repression. We need more of that.155352048At inflection points in history some leaders rise, others falter. Mikhail Gorbachev, who passed away today, rose to make our world safer. He was imperfect, as we all are. But he had a vision for stability over chaos and ultimately freedom over repression. We need more of that.In brief, about Mikhail GorbachevBorn on March 2, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev grew up while Joseph Stalin was in power in what was then the Soviet Union. He married Raisa Titarenko in 1953 when he was a student at Moscow State University. He received his law degree in 1955.Gorbachev then shifted to Stavropol and joined the Komsomol youth organization. He became the Stavropol Regional Committee’s First Party Secretary in 1970 and took charge of looking after the construction of the Great Stavropol Canal. He was chosen as Politburo’s General Secretary in 1985.Mikhail Gorbachev was a famous Russian and Soviet politician (Image via Kyodo News Stills/Getty Images)Despite numerous criticisms levied against him, Gorbachev was recognized as one of the most influential figures in the 20th century, and won several awards including the Nobel Peace Prize. He played a key role in facilitating the end of the Cold War and introducing new political and economic freedoms in the Soviet Union.He served as the head of the Soviet Union from 1988 to 1991 - during which he held numerous titles. He was the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1988 to 1989. Following that, he served as the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet until 1990. That apart, he also served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. Finally, he served as the President of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991, which is when the country was dissolved. He was initially a supporter of Marxism-Leninism but shifted his focus towards social democracy in early 1990.