This programme contains discussion of suicide.
Robin Day talks to Svetlana Allileyua, the daughter of the former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Josef Stalin. Sveltana caused a political sensation when, in 1967, she defected to the United States during a trip to India to scatter the ashes of her Indian lover.
She discusses the reasons for her defection, her life in the Soviet Union, her relationship with her father - whom she refers to as "a moral and spiritual monster" - and the two books that she has published: Twenty Letters to a Friend - memoirs written in 1962 while Svetlana was still in the Soviet Union - and Only One Year - written after her defection.
This interview, from Day Time: Svetlana Stalin was originally broadcast over two evenings. Part One was originally broadcast on BBC One, 5 October, 1969. Part Two was originally broadcast on BBC One, 12 October, 1969.
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Interview part 1
28:35 Interview part 2
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📝 Transcript
Transcribing... This may take a few minutes.
Top Comments
@tulasideviful
Svetlana was born in 1926 in Moscow. This is 1969. So she is 44 here. She lived until 2011.
326 likes
@laurasalo6160
@33:48 "To reach a good purpose you have to use good means."
Amen.
540 likes
@squirehaggard4749
Svetlana Alliluyeva died in Wisconsin. One of her daughters lives in Oregon. Khrushchev boasted that future American children would grow up under the Red flag. His son became a US citizen in 1999.
1096 likes
@MaryDeanDotCom
She made millions with her books, gave it all away, died broke…a full life. When is the last time any of us have heard somebody sincerely say, “I don’t believe in planning”? A free spirit indeed.
336 likes
@yogeshrai9210
Wow wow ,never knew an interview like that exists
116 likes
@erpthompsonqueen9130
Thank you from Alaska
Her voice is still here to inform generations of seekers of the truths of the era.
124 likes
@Johnnie-p4q
"I hope I will enjoy the freedom I got." Thank you for sharing this rare moment.
251 likes
@sharpfocus5
Wow, what a woman, what a story. She is so obviously traumatised, sensitive and deeply thoughtful, naturally intelligent. Profoundly human and beautiful person.
511 likes
@dhsumana407
Timely appearance of this respectful insightful exchange nov 2025
Very reflective thoughtful intelligent human being and woman
231 likes
@Oksana1966
Incredible interview, so glad I had a chance to hear Svitlana speak. I’m impressed by her ability to articulate her thoughts and emotions. She is truly inspiring and incredible woman!
164 likes
@GloriaHoulihan
This would make a good film 🎥
129 likes
@twisted_void
This BBC archive is incredible.
245 likes
@liudmilah4296
I watched her face and listen to her speak through tears. Thank you for the interview.
78 likes
@marnew1000
Can’t imagine what she went through, I can see strength there, god only knows what the ordinary people of the era had to endure…