The famous leader of the Soviet Union after Stalin was Nikita Khrushchev. He rose to power in the mid-1950s following Stalin's death in 1953. Khrushchev is known for his policy of de-Stalinization, which sought to dismantle the oppressive legacy of Stalin's rule. His leadership included attempts at reforms within the Soviet Union, greater openness to the West, and economic changes. However, his tenure was also marked by significant events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and continued tensions during the Cold War. Khrushchev was eventually ousted in 1964 as a result of growing dissatisfaction within the Communist Party.