Who Is Oleg Gordievsky? Age, Biography and Wiki
Oleg Gordievsky was born on October 10, 1938, making him 87 years old in 2025. A prominent figure in espionage, he served as a colonel in the KGB before dramatically switching sides to become one of the most important double agents during the Cold War. His experiences not only shed light on the inner workings of Soviet intelligence but also played a crucial role in the geopolitical landscape of the time. Gordievsky's tale of survival and moral integrity amidst the high-stakes world of espionage continues to resonate, marking him as a significant historical figure.
| Occupation | Spies |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1938 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | Russia |
Popularity
Oleg Gordievsky's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Oleg Gordievsky's physical appearance remains his point of interest, especially given the image of a seasoned intelligence officer. While specific measurement data may not be formally documented, he is estimated to stand around 6 feet tall and maintain a slim build typical of men within his profession.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Regarding his personal life, Oleg Gordievsky has remained relatively private. Information about his relationships has often been overshadowed by his professional exploits. Historical data suggests that he was married, but his wife has largely stayed out of the public eye. As of 2025, there are no credible reports regarding a current boyfriend or girlfriend, indicating that he might be focused on his legacy and sharing his incredible life story rather than engaging in public relationships.
Gordievsky joined the KGB in 1963 and was posted to the Soviet embassy in Copenhagen in 1966. He was outraged by the USSR's cruel crushing of the Prague Spring reform movement in Czechoslovakia in August 1968, and began sending covert signals to Danish and British intelligence agents and agencies that he might be willing to cooperate with them.
In 1974 he agreed to pass secrets to MI6, a step he viewed as "nothing less than undermining the Soviet system". MI6 gave him the codename SUNBEAM. His second posting to Denmark ended in 1978 and he was recalled to Moscow, this time for a lengthy period, because he had divorced his wife and married a woman with whom he had been having an affair.
The KGB frowned upon affairs and divorces as immoral. During this Moscow period it was too risky for him to send any information to MI6.
Net Worth and Salary
With a career that spanned decades in intelligence, writing, and speaking engagements, Oleg Gordievsky's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $2 million. His financial success can be attributed to various factors, including book deals, public speaking engagements, and his role as an expert consultant on intelligence matters.
Career, Business and Investments
Oleg Gordievsky's career blossomed after he defected to the United Kingdom in 1985. He has authored several books detailing his experiences within the KGB and as a double agent. His publications have gained critical acclaim and are often referenced in discussions about Cold War espionage. Gordievsky has also appeared in documentaries and news segments, acting as an intelligence consultant, further solidifying his place in history as a key figure in espionage.
As of 2025, he has been involved in several investments, particularly in sectors related to education and security consultancy, showcasing his expertise.
He proved an excellent student at school, where he learned to speak German. He studied at a prestigious Moscow University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, and later undertook NKVD training, where in addition to espionage skills he mastered German and also learned to speak Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian.
Social Network
Although not an active social media user, Oleg Gordievsky continues to engage with his audience through various platforms. His public presence exists mainly through interviews, documentaries, and written publications. His official website and Wikipedia page serve as primary resources for fans and those interested in his life story.
Although MI6 had passed on information provided by Gordievsky to the American CIA, the British would not reveal their source, so the CIA had conducted a covert operation to discover who the source was. After about a year, they realized that it must be Gordievsky.
A high-ranking American CIA officer, Aldrich Ames, began selling secrets to the KGB and reported Gordievsky's treachery to Soviet counterintelligence. Ames first met and sold classified information to a KGB agent on 15 May 1985 in Washington, D.C.; the following day Gordievsky received a telegram from the KGB leadership recalling him to Moscow.
A 1994 report by the Washington Post, however, stated that "After six weeks of questioning Ames ... the FBI and CIA remain baffled about whether Ames or someone else first warned the Soviets about Gordievsky".
An FBI report later stated that Ames had not told the Soviets about Gordievsky until 13 June 1985; by that time, Gordievsky was under KGB surveillance, but he had not been charged with treason by 19 July 1985, when MI6 agents activated his escape plan.
Biographer Ben Macintyre and most people involved in the Gordievsky case believe that during his first meeting with the KGB in Washington in early May 1985, Ames had provided sufficient information to prompt an investigation by Colonel Viktor Budanov, the KGB's top investigator, and trigger Gordievsky's recall.
Education
Oleg Gordievsky's educational background includes extensive training in the Soviet military and intelligence systems. While comprehensive details are limited, his qualifications allowed him to eventually rise within the ranks of the KGB. His practical experience in international relations and intelligence gathering has made him a respected figure in discussions about global security.
Gordievsky became disenchanted with his work in the KGB during his first Danish posting, particularly after the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.
He tried to send a covert sympathetic message to the Politiets Efterretningstjeneste (PET, Danish Security Intelligence Service), but his three-year stint ended and he returned to Moscow before making any direct contact.
By the time he returned to Copenhagen in October 1972 for a second three-year stint, both the PET and MI6, which had been tipped off by one of Gordievsky's old university friends, felt that he was a persuadable agent. MI6 subsequently made contact with Gordievsky, and began running him as a double agent in 1974.
The value of MI6's recruitment of such a highly placed intelligence asset increased dramatically when, in 1982, the KGB posted Gordievsky to London. He rose through the ranks there, becoming able to access higher and higher levels of Soviet secrets which he passed to MI6 via a London safe house.
