Apparently vigorous when he assumed supreme office, it was a surprise when his health rapidly declined. Following renal failure, he died on February 9, 1984, and was succeeded by the geriatric [[Konstantin Chernenko]]. | Apparently vigorous when he assumed supreme office, it was a surprise when his health rapidly declined. Following renal failure, he died on February 9, 1984, and was succeeded by the geriatric [[Konstantin Chernenko]]. |