10 Famous Preserved Corpses

10. Lenin

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (or Lenin as he preferred) was the man who spearheaded Bolshevism and was the first leader of the USSR. If you are suddenly taken by the desire to have a good old stare at the Russian revolutionary you can do so in Moscow's Red Square.

Considering Lenin's body has stayed intact for over 90 years it's interesting to note his corpse wasn't initially embalmed. At the time of his death/funeral/presentation in late January 1924, Russia was in full on Russian winter mode and the icy temperature naturally staved off any early decomposition.

The person, at least initially, responsible for the long term preservation of Lenin was Joseph 'sensitive to people's wishes' Stalin. Lenin himself wanted to be buried near his mother but Stalin's machinations relied on using Lenin's death to consolidate power.

Even Lenin's widow was against the idea of embalmment and made her views very clear, leading Stalin – during the funeral for her husband mind you – to threaten: “I can find another widow for Lenin immediately.” Classic Stalin.

Work has been done over the decades to preserve Lenin, eventually causing him to look more waxwork than human. In 2016 alone it cost the Russian government $200,000 for preservation work on the body.