On April 6, one of the most prominent representatives of Russian politics, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, passed away. We were not friends, but sometimes we comminicated and rejoiced at each other when we met. I respected and appreciated this man for his outstanding talents: he was a great orator, a charismatic leader and a politician who was sensitive to to public demands.
Amazing erudition, brilliant education, knowledge of history and psychology - all this helped him to give accurate forecasts and expert assessments. They used to call Zhirinovsky an "ambiguous" person. In my opinion, he was a real patriot, sometimes eccentric, but at the same time - which is a luxury by itself- truly honest. And, mind you, almost everything he predicted came true.
Of course, Zhirinovsky was an unsurpassed master of political outrageousness. He artistically and passionately knew how to denounce what he hated. Therefore, the love of the people for him was real. He always touched the hearts of people with sincere, understandable and accessible words. Zhirinovsky will forever remain in Russian politics. He was called a populist, but people loved him because he was always extremely frank.
Several times Zhirinovsky came to Kalmykia. I remember his visits very well. Here is my opinion. He was an incredibly kind person. Having gone through a lot in life, he knew all about life, about people’s problems, and helped many.
Once, answering a question in a television interview about what he would ask if he appeared before the Lord, Vladimir Volfovich answered: “I would ask Him to bring me back to life.” He loved life, sincerely and wholeheartedly. But he also knew something about it that prevented him from thoughtlessly surrendering to the will of fate. He was a man who was born to overcome. But he could not overcome his fate.
I offer my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Vladimir Volfovich Zhirinovsky.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov,
First President of Kalmykia, sixth President of FIDE
