News, Lana Peters, daughter of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin who defected in 1967, dies at 85. (war, USSR)

[JD59]

Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's daughter, whose defection to the West during the Cold War embarrassed the ruling communists and made her a best-selling author, has died. She was 85.

Her defection in 1967 _ which she said was partly motivated by the poor treatment of her late husband, Brijesh Singh, by Soviet authorities _ caused an international furor and was a public relations coup for the U.S. But Peters, who left behind two children, said her identity involved more than just switching from one side to the other in the Cold War.

Lana Peters, daughter of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin who defected in 1967, dies at 85 - 11/28/2011 7:50:33 PM | Newser

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by John1960

Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's daughter, whose defection to the West during the Cold War embarrassed the ruling communists and made her a best-selling author, has died. She was 85.

Her defection in 1967 _ which she said was partly motivated by the poor treatment of her late husband, Brijesh Singh, by Soviet authorities _ caused an international furor and was a public relations coup for the U.S. But Peters, who left behind two children, said her identity involved more than just switching from one side to the other in the Cold War.

Lana Peters, daughter of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin who defected in 1967, dies at 85 - 11/28/2011 7:50:33 PM | Newser

Wow. So she defected at age 45 leaving 2 kids behind in the USSR? She had some of her papas ice in her blood too it would seem.

[jodipper]

This was such big news when she come here. She was on the cover of most magazines. Now most people don't know who she was. So much for her 50 days of fame.

[kevxu]

An interesting obit at this link.

Obit: Svetlana Stalin