Even Gagarin’s family, including his wife Valentina, his parents, and his children, did not know what would happen on April 12, 1961. 12.04.2011, Sputnik International
Two days before the flight, Yury Gagarin wrote a letter to his wife, which he hoped she would never read. The letter was to be handed over to Valentina Gagarin in the event of his death. Gagarin wrote, “I firmly believe in technology” and asked his wife not to “grieve over him too much” should something go wrong.
At the end of the letter, Gagarin asked Valentina not to forget about his parents: “Ask them to forgive me for not telling them anything they weren't supposed to know.”
This is one of the last photos of Yury Gagarin. He is with his daughters: Yelena (left) and Galina. The photo was taken on February 9, 1968. A month and a half later, on March 27, Gagarin was to die in an air crash.
After his space missions, Gagarin travelled and met with people a great deal. Sometimes he had to address audiences 20 times a day. However, in summer he still managed to go to the Crimea Peninsula with his family.
As the first man in space, Yury Gagarin soared to world fame. He received thousands of letters from all over the world. His entire family had to help him sort the mail.
July 21, 1966. Yury Gagarin on vacation with his daughter Galina in Crimea.
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