Raisa Gorbacheva… This woman became a symbolic figure not only of perestroika, not only of the end of the last century, but also of modern times as a whole. An embodiment of her native country, a remarkable and talented representative of it in the world. A woman who broke the stifling stereotypes and selflessly, following the call of her heart, not just as the wife of the President, the First Lady of the USSR, went to help the underprivileged, especially children. She warmly, generously, and selflessly supported children suffering from blood diseases – as if anticipating her own departure from this terrible illness. As often happens in life, she was often misunderstood and even not accepted. But time, deeds, actions, and thoughts of this extraordinary and truly beautiful personality have set everything right. More than two decades have passed since the death of Raisa Maximovna, and the attitude towards her, not only in the world but also in our contradictory Russian society, is becoming warmer and more compassionate. R.M. Gorbacheva dreamed that she would be understood – and first of all by her fellow countrymen and women. And these times are coming. In January 2022, it was 90 years since her birth. This significant and simultaneously sad date coincides with the present collection, the center of which is the book by Raisa Maximovna "I Hope...", which she managed to publish in 1991 and which found a wide emotional response around the world. It also includes excerpts from the books and memories of M.S. Gorbachev, as well as the interviews of Raisa Maximovna in recent years, memories of many outstanding people, political figures, associates, representatives of the arts, and simply those who were deeply touched by the tragic fate of this woman, who opened, among other things, new horizons for many women in Russia and around the world. The collection was prepared by the staff of the Gorbachev Foundation under the guidance of M.S. Gorbachev.
