Mikhail Gorbachev Fast Facts Personal Birth place: Privolnoye, Russia, Soviet Union Birth name: Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev Father: Sergei Andreyevich Gorbachev Marriage: Raisa (Titarenko) Gorbachev (1953-September 20, 1999, her death) Children: Irina 1956 Other Facts Timeline 1952 - Joins the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and works in various positions in the party for the next two decades. 1955-1958 Video: In Kosovo, challenges to a new democracy (CNN) In Kosovo, challenges to a new democracy Replay Video 1970-1978 1970-1990 1971 - Becomes a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. March 11, 1985 - Elected general secretary of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union. In this post, he is effectively the leader of the USSR.