Mikhail Gorbachev advertises Louis Vuitton

Former USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev has taken part in a new Louis Vuitton advertising campaign. This isn't the first time that he has lent his presence to an advertising campaign.

According to reports, he was paid $US 160,000 for a Pizza Hut advertisement ten years ago.

Mr Gorbachev was the last leader of the USSR, and received a Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War.

Although still an iconic figure in the West, Mr Gorbachev enjoys a fairly low profile in his homeland. His TV appearances are infrequent, and his Social-Democratic Party of Russia has the support of less than 1% of the electorate.

Vladimir Polyakov, who is in charge of the Gorbachev Foundation, explains why Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to star in the campaign.

“Mikhail Gorbachev does not receive any financing from the budget or anywhere else. Most of the money is made by Mr Gorbachev. Sometimes a member of the family helps him out. So when this offer came up, he agreed,” commented Vladimir Polyakov.