He finished Kaišiadorys High School in 1952 and graduated from Kaunas Polytechnic Institute in 1956 with a degree in civil engineering.

He was seen as cautious by nature, and when confronted by the tide of nationalist feeling in the Soviet Union, Brazauskas initially believed that the USSR might be reconstituted as a looser federation of independent, but communist, states.

Some historians and journalists have later suggested that this act was the earliest certain indication of the inevitability of the demise of the Soviet Union.

He then won the presidential election in a single round with 60 percent of the vote and was confirmed as president on 25 February 1993.

Though he was elected with the backing of his political party, the Democratic Labour Party, he attempted to stay within the limitations of constitutional powers and avoid direct intervention in politics - except in moments of crisis, when he would "leave his ambush" and demand actions from the elected government.

[4] By 1994, the president's relations with his party's cabinet had turned cold, and Brazauskas stated that he "could not agree [with him] on the simplest things".

[10] In spite of high approval ratings, he decided not to seek reelection, and handed the presidency to his successor, Valdas Adamkus, on 25 February 1998.

[13] Brazauskas decided not to remain in office as acting Prime Minister, and announced that he was finally retiring from politics.

"[11] He led the ruling Social Democratic Party of Lithuania for one more year, until 19 May 2007, when he passed the reins to Gediminas Kirkilas.

[14] Days before his death Russian President Dmitry Medvedev awarded Brazauskas with the Order of Honour for his significant contribution to cooperation between Russia and Lithuania and good neighborly relations.

[2] Following his death the obituaries wrote of him that he had a "frame to match his indefatigable stature and a calm but commanding presence that could fill any stage.

"[19] His successor as president, Valdas Adamkus, said that he "dared to decide which side to choose in a critical moment."