Dictator Style

On my way out to the kitchen to get some more coffee I grabed a book from our shelf. Peter York´s “Dictator Style”.

When I was a young girl I remember seeing the executed bodies of the dictator Ceausescu and his wife, Elena, on Swedish public televison. It was 1989 and the Romanian leader had been brought to trail by the revolution and their execution (a shot in the head up against a wall) was filmed for the world to see. After the gruesome pictures the reporter showed some  footage, filmed at their home. The 40-room vila was crammed with marble, gold, art and antiques. And Elena´s shoe and fur collection would turn even Barbie green with envy. “All this madness…”, my mother muttered, appalled.
Needless to say, the images stuck with this interior-decor-craving little girl.

This book lets you visit lots of interior madness, like Husseins sexy mural, below, lots of gold and portraits of the dictators themselfs, and a few golden bathrooms. A lot of the homes actually remind me of Graceland.

Sexy mural at Saddam Husseins old place.

A welcoming portrait of the host greets you in the hall.

Tito on his balcony, posing for yet another statue. Can´t have too many.

Want more privilaged homes of dictators?
I found a video from  President Yanukovych’s place in Kiev, Ukraine. Filmed by Vice News.