Nadezhda Alliluyeva was born into a revolutionary family, but was it always her fate to marry Joseph Stalin?
She was independent, intelligent and highly politicised. Indeed, Stalin was a hero of hers growing up.
What was it like to be so heavily involved in the Communist Party and the Soviet Union? What was Stalin like as a husband to her? And was her death as suspicious as some made out?
Joining Kate for this third episode of our limited series, Real Wives of Dictators, is Sheila Fitzpatrick, historian of the Soviet Union and author of books including The Death of Stalin.
This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
If you'd like to get in touch with the show you can contact us at betwixt@historyhit.com.
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Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.