Fifty-five years have passed since the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Praised for making the Soviet Union one of the two world's superpowers and cursed for political purges which killed millions, Stalin remains one of the most controversial figures

Stalin was 74 when he died in 1953. For many, his death came as a relief. Some believe it wasn't poor health that killed him.

During Stalin’s rein the Soviet Union helped defeat Nazi Germany and went on to become one of the world’s two superpowers, a status which continued for decades after his death.

“Here in Russia he is still a legend, his greatness is remembered and his victory over fascism – but it wasn’t his victory it was the victory of the people,” said Nikolay Svanidze, a historian.

Stalin as a legend and a leader is still debated but so is the mystery surrounding his death.

“There are myths surrounding Stalin’s death due to the mentality that someone that great and powerful can’t die naturally; therefore he must have been murdered,” Svanidze said.

The night Stalin died he was surrounded by his closest political circle, including KGB Chief Lavrenty Beria and his successor Nikita Khrushchev. There is a theory that he was poisoned by Beria.

In the 1930s many members of the Party were executed as traitors and over a decade later those close to Stalin feared another round of purges.

“In 1953 there was a feeling among his comrades that there was going to be another wave of repressions, so there were motives,” explained Vladimir Simindev, another historian. 

But those who doubt this theory say the evident satisfaction of those close to Stalin after his death is proof enough that it wasn’t planned.

“His circle was happy and relieved to hear he had died. You would think the opposite as they were close and living good lives, but they feared for their lives. It’s difficult to appreciate a good position when every night you’re waiting for a knock at your door – to be taken away and killed,” Svanidze said.