Kösem Sultan

c. 1589 – 2 September 1651

Kösem Sultan was one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history, wielding influence for nearly half a century during the period known as the Sultanate of Women. As favorite consort of Sultan Ahmed I and later valide sultan (queen mother) to Murad IV and Ibrahim, she served as official regent of the empire. She was assassinated in a palace power struggle in 1651.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Kösem Sultan.

Life events

Born, probably of Greek origin
c. 1589

Kösem, originally named Anastasia according to most accounts, was born around 1589, likely the daughter of a Greek Orthodox priest.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Entered the imperial harem in Constantinople
c. 1604

Enslaved as a girl, she was brought into the Ottoman imperial harem, where she was renamed Kösem.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Became favorite consort (haseki sultan) of Ahmed I
c. 1605

Kösem rose to become the most influential consort of Sultan Ahmed I, bearing him several children including the future sultans Murad IV and Ibrahim.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Retired to the Old Palace after the death of Ahmed I
1617

Following Sultan Ahmed I's death, Kösem was removed from the center of power and lived in the Old Palace during the reigns of Mustafa I and Osman II.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Personal ✓
Became valide sultan and regent for her son Murad IV
September 1623 – 1632

When her young son Murad IV was enthroned, Kösem became queen mother and served as official regent, effectively governing the empire.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Served as valide sultan during the reign of her son Ibrahim
1640 – 1648

After Murad IV's death, Kösem again wielded power as queen mother to her son Sultan Ibrahim, though their relationship deteriorated.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became regent for her grandson Mehmed IV
1648

Following Ibrahim's deposition and execution, Kösem was retained as regent for the child sultan Mehmed IV, an unprecedented role for a grandmother.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Assassinated in Topkapi Palace
2 September 1651

Kösem was strangled in a palace coup organized by partisans of Turhan Sultan, mother of Mehmed IV, ending her decades of political dominance.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓