English
Andrei Gromyko by David Hume Kennerly from
Top 10 Sensational Facts about Andrei Gromyko
Andrei Gromyko was a Soviet Belarusian politician born in Starye Gromyki, Gomel, Belarus on 18 July in 1909. He was born to peasant parents though his family was well-to-do compared to the other peasant families in their area.
Gromyko rose to become an ambassador and foreign minister of the Soviet Union. His fame in the international political space came with his appointment as a Permanent Representative of the Soviet Union to the United Nations (UN) in April 1946.
He continued his political service in different capacities until his resignation on 1 October 1988. Gromyko recounted that he had finished his duties towards the people, the party, and the state as he resigned. He later died on 2 July 1989 due to a vascular problem.
Here are the top 10 interesting realities about Andrei Gromyko.
1. Gromyko Andrei was dubbed “Mr. No” or “Grim Grom”
Andrei Gromyko and Barend Biesheuvel by Verhoeff, Bert, Anefo from
He was known as Mr. Nyet (“Mr. No”) because of his frequent use of the Soviet veto and countless walkouts in the United Nations Security Council.
The 鈥淕rim Grom鈥� name was the result of his serious demeanor. The 34th U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower wrote that when Gromyko spared his audience a smile, he did so with the greatest effect.
2. Andrei Gromyko began his diplomatic career in the United States at the age of 30
In 1939, he was appointed by Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov to become a charge’ d’affaires (counselor) at the Soviet Embassy in Washington.
While there his serious appearance was a nod to the鈥淕rim Grom鈥� reference. Critics called him “the oldest young man in the capital”. Gromyko鈥檚 reply according to January 7, 1985, Washington Post was “How old does a man have to be in America to be old?” He later served in the position of ambassador in 1943 and worked in the embassy until 1946.
3. He remained a shadowy figure to most Americans
Former Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko & Former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon by Thomas J. O’Halloran from
Andrei Gromyko was little known by many Americans for the majority of his political journey. A surprise because he served as the Soviet Union’s representative to the U.N. Security Council from 1946 to 1948.
He was also the Soviet Union’s foreign minister since 1957. He even met about 14 United States secretaries of state, and presidents starting with Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Gromyko managed to keep his life off the limelight revealing so little of himself. This made his every remark and gesture a source of mystery.
4. Gromyko had a Photographic memory
The diplomat鈥檚 attention span and memory startled many. Observers noted he could pay attention to a speech going on for hours and would afterward ask precise pertinent questions. Yet he took no notes, it was like he memorized the entire speech.
Cyrus Vance, a Former United States Secretary of State called him an institutional memory. Vance described it as an advantage to the Soviets, ensuring they were protected from pitfalls they might have experienced in the past.
5. His press conferences were spot on
Andrei Gromyko and Norbert Schmelzer by Hans Peters from
Andrei Gromyko never used notes in his press addresses, no papers at all. He was comfortable with the press and was patient with the photographers.
He was together like a professor and his students. He began with a lecture, he would make a statement and then proceed to take questions. In addressing the concerns raised he would first be keen to listen.
Andrei often rephrased the question to expose its weakness and then issue his answer. He made sure to make no mistakes or leave room for ambiguity or speculation.
6. Andrei Gromyko used hand weights every morning
He remained in fine physical condition even in his senior years. Walter Stoessel who was the ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1974 to 1976 revealed Gromyko鈥檚 secret to physical fitness.
Stoessel admitted that in 1976, Andrei had told him he used hand weights every morning. During defense minister Dmitri Ustinov鈥檚 burial in December 1984, his strength stood the test of times. Gromyko was still, unperturbed by the cold while everybody else kept moving to stay warm in freezing temperatures.
7. He admired Prince Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov
Alexander was one of the most influential and respected diplomats of the mid-19th century. He was a Russian diplomat from the Gorchakov princely family.
He helped rebuild the country after the Crimean War so was an important Russian statesman. Analysts agree that Andrei Gromyko at the end of his political path was an equal of Alexander Gorchakov.
8. Gromyko fancied somber suits
His colors were gray or dark blue. The suits had a boxy cut and were tailored in Moscow, though their appearance gave an impression of expensive, European worsted wools.
Dark ties were his thing the likes of gray, blue, or maroon. He favored heavily starched white shirts. Reports had it that he wore a size 12 shoe. In cold weather, he went for a felt homburg rather than the standard Russian fur hats.
9. He drove in a ZIL limousine when working as a Russian diplomat
A ZIL 41047 at Retro Classics 2018 by Alexander Migl from
Gromyko Andrei was driven in a ZIL limousine during his time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His office was at 32-34 Smolyenskaya Sennaya Square in Russia.
The prestigious limousine was built by ZIL from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. It was the Soviet Union鈥檚 elite way of transport. There were no more than fifty cars manufactured each year.
10. His wife Lidia was his contrast
Andrei鈥檚 wife as per accounts by close associates was very lively, outspoken, and knowledgeable. They had two children Anatoly and Emilia.
Here are quick facts
11. He showed admiration for “Gone With the Wind” a controversial film
The film was widely condemned in the Soviet Union because it depicted a sympathetic view of slavery.
12. His pastime activities were taking brisk walks, collecting stamps, playing chess with his wife, and reading.
13. He joined the Communist Party in 1931
14. Andrei had a very wry sense of humor
15. Gromyko authored several books on economics
16. Gromyko never smoked and he rarely indulged in alcoholic drinks
Many who interacted with him during social functions acknowledged that he often held his glass of drink without finishing it at the closure of the ceremony.
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