In 1952, Furtseva attacked the leading filmstar, Boris Babochkin, who was famous after starring as Vasily Chapayev.

[2] This time Furtseva saw the actor starring in a stageplay, and was enraged by Babochkin's satirical portrayal of the Soviet communist leadership.

[2] Then Furtseva personally ordered that all film studios and drama companies of the USSR should refuse Babochkin any jobs, keeping him unemployed.

[3] Furtseva scandalized the Soviet elite by her weekend trips abroad in order to meet her lover.

[3] In May 1960, Furtseva suddenly lost her position as a Secretary of the Central Committee, and was appointed USSR Minister for Culture.

Yet there were rumors that she was implicated in illegal commercial dealings and, wishing to preclude the impending scandal and disgrace, committed suicide.