First came to national attention in 1983 when, as a 10-year-old, she
wrote to Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov, "Why do you want to conquer the
whole world, or at least our country?" The premier was touched by her
genuineness and replied that he had no such intention. He then invited
Smith and her family to the USSR for a special tour. The bright and
articulate schoolgirl became famous overnight.