Just prior to beginning negotiations with Castro, Mikoyan was informed about the death of his wife, Ashkhen, in Moscow; rather than return there for the funeral, Mikoyan opted to stay and sent his son Sergo there instead.
Lige før forhandlingerne med Castro begyndte blev Mikojan informeret om sin kones død i Moskva, og i stedet for at vende tilbage for at deltage i begravelsen valgte han at blive og sendte sin søn Sergo i stedet.