Nikolai Viktorovich Podgorny

Podgorny, Nikolai Viktorovich (1903–83), Soviet political leader. After rising through the Communist Party ranks in the Ukraine, he was named to the party secretariat of the Soviet Union (1963). After Nikita Khrushchev's fall, he became (1965) chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, or head of state, holding that post until his demotion to deputy of the Supreme Soviet (1977).

See also: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.