Marina Popovich

Full Name: Marina Lavrentyevna Vasilyeva
Profession: Pilot

Biography: Marina Popovich, known as "Madame MiG" for her mastery of the Soviet MiG fighter jet, was the first Soviet woman to break the sound barrier. She would set over 100 aviation world records in the course of her career.

Popovich developed an early interest in flying and gained entry to the Novosibirsk Aviation Technicum, graduating in 1951. She initially worked as an engineer and flying instructor before joining the Soviet Air Forces as a pilot in 1963.

In 1964, Popovich broke the sound barrier in a MiG-21 fighter jet, becoming a military test pilot. She later joined the Antonov Design Bureau, setting multiple records on the Antonov An-22 transport aircraft before retiring in 1984.

Popovich was also an accomplished author, penning nine books including a poetry collection, "Zhizn—vechny vzlyot" (1972). She co-wrote two screenplays, "Nebo So Mnoy" (1974) and "Buket Fialok" (1983).

In 1991, Popovich published "UFO Glasnost," which detailed alleged UFO sightings and recoveries by Soviet pilots. She was married twice, first to cosmonaut Pavel Popovich, with whom she had two daughters.

In her life Popovich received numerous honors, including the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, and was named an Honoured Master of Sport of the USSR.

Born: July 20, 1931
Birthplace: Smolensk, Velizhsky District, Soviet Union

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: November 30, 2017 (aged 86)
Cause of Death: Natural causes