Famous Women in History: Kosem Sultan

NAME: Kösem Sultan

LIFETIME: 1590 – September 2, 1651

WHAT SHE IS KNOWN FOR: Kösem Sultan was one of the most powerful women of the Ottoman Empire. She achieved power and influence when she became the favorite consort and later wife of Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I. She was one of the most prominent figures during the Sultanate of Women and lived through the reigns of six different sultans.

WHY WE LOVE HER: Kösem was the Greek-born daughter of a priest. She was later bought as a slave by a Bosnian governor and at age 15 she was sent to the harem of Sultan Ahmed I. When she converted to Islam, she took the name Mahpeyker, meaning moon-shaped. The sultan later changed her name to Kösem. In 1605 the Sultan’s mother gained control of the imperial harem. However she died in November of the same year, permitting Kösem to rise to the top of the harem hierarchy. In this new position, she acted as guardian of the şehzades, or male descendants of the sultan (princes). The changes made to the line of succession were likely made possible because of Kösem’s influence. When the sultan died in 1617, she lost her position as head of the harem and returned to the Old Palace during the reigns of the next two sultans.   She returned to power in 1623 when her son ascended the throne. Because he was a minor, she became regent, effectively assuming complete control of the government. After ten years as regent, the Empire fell into anarchy. Her son took control, trying to root out corruption. After her first son’s death, Kösem’s second son, Ibrahim, was left as the sole surviving prince. However he proved to be too mentally unstable to rule, and Kösem assumed power once again. She lost favor and was exiled. She still garnered political favor and arranged for the execution of her son. She had her grandson declared Sultan and she ruled as regent from 1648-51. The mother of Kösem’s grandson ordered her death in a power struggle for control of the government. She was taken to the Old Palace and interned next to her husband.

FUN FACT: Throughout her time in and out of power, Kösem was renowned for her charity. She gave to those in need and freed her slaves after three years of service.