Late communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, centre, is seen in this Dec. 21, 1989 file photo during his last address to the people from the balcony of the headquarters of the Romanian Communist Party in Bucharest as his wife Elena, second from left, and other officials looked on.STR/Reuters
Erich Honecker
East Germany
After 18 years in power, the last East German strongman was forced to resign on Oct. 18, 1989. He was tried for treason, but released after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, dying in Chile in 1994. His successor, Egon Krenz, was in office only until Dec. 7, 1989. Eventually, he too went on trial, freed in 2003 after four years in jail.
Gustáv Husák
Czechoslovakia
After serving as president since 1975, the Slovak resigned on Dec. 10, 1989, was expelled from the Communist Party two months later, and died at 78 on Nov. 18, 1991.
Nicolae Ceausescu
Romania
His 24-year run ended when he was convicted of crimes ranging from corruption to genocide and executed, along with wife Elena, on Christmas Day, 1989.
Todor Zhivkov
Bulgaria
A true survivor, he came to power in 1954 and was ousted 35 years later, on Nov. 10, 1989, the day after the fall of the Berlin Wall. A seven-year sentence for embezzling public funds was overturned in 1996, and he died of pneumonia two years later at 86.
János Kádár
Hungary
Installed by Moscow after the 1956 revolution was crushed, he stepped down due to illness in 1988 and died at 77 the following July 6. Three months later, Hungary's Communist Party was disbanded.