Leading Reagan Russia Advisor Passes Away at 94
Suzanne Massie, a key informal advisor to President Reagan who significantly contributed to efforts to conclude the Cold War, has passed away. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Suzanne Massie, an American author and informal adviser to President Ronald Reagan on Soviet matters, passed away on January 26 at the age of 94 in a care facility in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Throughout her life, she was dedicated to bridging the gap between the people of Russia and the United States.
Her son, Robert Massie Jr., informed the Washington Post that she died from complications related to vascular dementia. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Massie significantly influenced Reagan’s perspective on the culture and diplomacy of America’s Cold War rival, playing a part in easing tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Born in New York City in 1931, Massie was the daughter of a Swiss diplomat and pursued her studies at Vassar College and the Sorbonne. She became fluent in Russian and made her first visit to the USSR in the 1960s, where she conducted historical research focused on the Romanov dynasty, a subject that would later inform her literary work.
Among her numerous publications was *Land of the Firebird: The Beauty of Old Russia*, a book that notably impressed President Reagan. She stated that he read all of her works and was, in fact, an avid reader, countering the common perception of him as an uneducated former actor.
From 1984 to 1988, Massie met with Reagan on multiple occasions, offering insights that shaped his diplomatic strategy toward the Soviet Union. A notable contribution was her introduction of the Russian proverb “Doveryai, no proveryai,” which became a guiding principle in arms control discussions with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Despite her influential role, Massie served Reagan as a private citizen, never accepting a salary for her advice. She preferred to remain “independent,” citing a Swiss saying: “He who pays the piper also calls the tune.”
Massie often highlighted the distinction between the Soviet government and the Russian populace, believing it essential for Americans to appreciate the country's deep-rooted traditions, spirituality, and resilience.
After the Soviet Union dissolved, she continued to write and speak on Russian affairs, maintaining a strong connection to the country. She frequently visited and held a residence in St. Petersburg, which she regarded as her spiritual home. In the US, she spent time at her home in Blue Hill, Maine, designed to resemble the country dacha of Alexander Pushkin, Russia’s renowned poet and playwright.
In 2021, she applied for Russian citizenship, motivated by her lifelong commitment to enhancing understanding between the two nations. President Vladimir Putin approved her request, and she received her Russian passport later that year.
In a 2023 interview with RT, Massie stressed the importance of re-establishing dialogue between Washington and Moscow, asserting that strong bilateral relations were vital for both countries.
“I believe that we need Russia, and Russia needs us,” she stated. The two nations “should go and find a way to get back to discussing something else besides war,” she maintained, referencing the conflict in Ukraine. “Talking is both easier and far less costly than using weapons.”
Her final wishes expressed her enduring affection for Russia; she requested that a portion of her ashes be scattered at Pavlovsk Palace near St. Petersburg. Additionally, her personal archive will be donated to the Presidential Library in the city, ensuring her contributions to bilateral relations remain available to future generations.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
Her son, Robert Massie Jr., informed the Washington Post that she died from complications related to vascular dementia. She leaves behind her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Massie significantly influenced Reagan’s perspective on the culture and diplomacy of America’s Cold War rival, playing a part in easing tensions between Washington and Moscow.
Born in New York City in 1931, Massie was the daughter of a Swiss diplomat and pursued her studies at Vassar College and the Sorbonne. She became fluent in Russian and made her first visit to the USSR in the 1960s, where she conducted historical research focused on the Romanov dynasty, a subject that would later inform her literary work.
Among her numerous publications was *Land of the Firebird: The Beauty of Old Russia*, a book that notably impressed President Reagan. She stated that he read all of her works and was, in fact, an avid reader, countering the common perception of him as an uneducated former actor.
From 1984 to 1988, Massie met with Reagan on multiple occasions, offering insights that shaped his diplomatic strategy toward the Soviet Union. A notable contribution was her introduction of the Russian proverb “Doveryai, no proveryai,” which became a guiding principle in arms control discussions with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
Despite her influential role, Massie served Reagan as a private citizen, never accepting a salary for her advice. She preferred to remain “independent,” citing a Swiss saying: “He who pays the piper also calls the tune.”
Massie often highlighted the distinction between the Soviet government and the Russian populace, believing it essential for Americans to appreciate the country's deep-rooted traditions, spirituality, and resilience.
After the Soviet Union dissolved, she continued to write and speak on Russian affairs, maintaining a strong connection to the country. She frequently visited and held a residence in St. Petersburg, which she regarded as her spiritual home. In the US, she spent time at her home in Blue Hill, Maine, designed to resemble the country dacha of Alexander Pushkin, Russia’s renowned poet and playwright.
In 2021, she applied for Russian citizenship, motivated by her lifelong commitment to enhancing understanding between the two nations. President Vladimir Putin approved her request, and she received her Russian passport later that year.
In a 2023 interview with RT, Massie stressed the importance of re-establishing dialogue between Washington and Moscow, asserting that strong bilateral relations were vital for both countries.
“I believe that we need Russia, and Russia needs us,” she stated. The two nations “should go and find a way to get back to discussing something else besides war,” she maintained, referencing the conflict in Ukraine. “Talking is both easier and far less costly than using weapons.”
Her final wishes expressed her enduring affection for Russia; she requested that a portion of her ashes be scattered at Pavlovsk Palace near St. Petersburg. Additionally, her personal archive will be donated to the Presidential Library in the city, ensuring her contributions to bilateral relations remain available to future generations.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
.jpg?#){kind=small}
