Boris Yeltsin has admitted he was not a healthy man during his two stints as Russia's first post-Soviet leader.
"While I was president, I survived five heart attacks," the 73-year-old told the RIA Novosti news agency.
In true Soviet style, these were hushed up - and officials usually blamed Yeltsin's absences from the Kremlin on a "bad cold."
These days, Yeltsin's health is much better. "Now I feel active, both mentally and physically," he said.
Yeltsin, who helped bring democracy to Russia, is probably best remembered for his dancing at an election campaign rock concert.
And the beat goes on...
I love this picture - mostly for the look on Yeltsin's face. It won a Pulitzer Prize for photographer Alexander Zemlianichenko back in 1997.
Maybe the Democrats should consider recruiting Yeltsin.
Despite his predeliction for dancing, his performances can't be any more embarrassing than Dean's recent (for want of a better word), speech.
Posted by: Lee | January 22, 2004 at 01:03 PM