Balysh Ovezov

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Balysh Ovezovich Ovezov (29 December 1915 – 13 October 1975) was a Soviet Turkmen politician who led the Turkmen SSR twice as the first secretary of its Communist Party. His terms were from 1950 to 1951 and from 1960 to 1969.

He was born in Bedirkent, in the Khanate of Khiva, and was orphaned early. He studied at the Higher Party School of the Central Committee, worked as a teacher, and led Turkmenistan’s Komsomol before rising through the party ranks. He became First Secretary in 1950, taking over from Şaja Batyrow, and served until October 1951, when Suhan Babaýew succeeded him. He received the Order of Lenin during this period.

Ovezov returned to power on 13 June 1960 after the death of Jumadurdy Garaýew and remained in office until 24 December 1969, after which Muhammetnazar Gapurow took over. He had six children.