Yuri Vladimirovich Andropov was born on the 15th of June 1914 in Stanitsa Nagutskaya, a town that now belongs to Stavropol Krai. Evidence suggests he was actually born in Moscow where his mother worked at a women's gymnasium from 1913 to 1917.
Andropov played a decisive role in crushing the uprising by convincing Nikita Khrushchev that military intervention was necessary. He earned the nickname The Butcher of Budapest among historians for his ruthless actions during this period.
Andropov became head of the KGB on the 10th of May 1967 after Mikhail Suslov recommended him for the position. He served as chairman until May 1982 making him the longest-serving leader of the organization.
Andropov suffered total kidney failure in February 1983 causing rapid health deterioration and eventual death at 16:50 on the 9th of February 1984. Post-mortem reports listed interstitial nephritis, nephrosclerosis, residual hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney deficiency as causes.
His state funeral took place in Red Square attended by U.S. Vice President George H.W. Bush, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Italian President Sandro Pertini, East German First Secretary Erich Honecker, Polish First Secretary Wojciech Jaruzelski, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Cuban President Fidel Castro, and Irish President Patrick Hillery.