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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Historical

Hurrem Sultan

Hurrem Sultan, also known as Roxelana, was the chief consort and legal wife of Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of his successor, Selim II.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Hurrem Sultan, also known as Roxelana, was the chief consort and legal wife of Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and the first *haseki sultan* of the empire.

What it is

Hurrem Sultan was a Ruthenian woman who entered the Ottoman palace as a slave or captive and rose to become Suleiman the Magnificent's legal wife and mother of his successor, Selim II. She is widely considered one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history.

Why it matters

Her unprecedented status as legal wife and the first *haseki sultan* marked a shift in Ottoman dynastic politics. She is often linked to the beginning of the 'Sultanate of Women', a period when royal women wielded significant influence. Her life also popularized Ottoman history globally, notably through the TV series *Magnificent Century*.

Key details

Her birth name is uncertain—often given as Aleksandra Lisowska or Anastasia. She died on 15 April 1558 in Constantinople, possibly from natural illness. Her children include Selim II, Mihrimah Sultan, and three other princes. Modern portrayals, like the Turkish drama *Muhteşem Yüzyıl*, have kept her story widely known.

In short

  • Rose from slave or captive to legal wife of Suleiman the Magnificent
  • First haseki sultan and major influence in the Sultanate of Women
  • Mother of Sultan Selim II and four other children
  • Frequently depicted in modern media, including *Magnificent Century*
Canadian angle

Hurrem Sultan is of interest to Canadian readers through world-history study, Ottoman history, and international television adaptations such as *Magnificent Century*, which have circulated widely in diaspora and streaming audiences.

Quick questions

Who was Hurrem Sultan?
Hurrem Sultan was the chief consort and legal wife of Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and the mother of Selim II.
Hurrem Sultan real name
Her birth name is not certain. Commonly cited names include Aleksandra Lisowska and Anastasia, but sources do not agree on one definitive real name.
Hurrem Sultan death
She died on 15 April 1558 in Constantinople (Istanbul). Some sources describe the cause as unknown, while others say she died of illness or natural causes.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCrrem_Sultan
    Supports: Core identification, role as Suleiman's legal wife and mother of Selim II, and approximate birth/death dates.
  2. Turkish Wikipedia — https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%BCrrem_Sultan
    Supports: Death date, place of death, alternate names, and historical significance in Ottoman history.
  3. TheCollector — https://thecollector.com/hurrem-sultan-concubine-to-queen/
    Supports: Overview of early life uncertainty, rise to power, and common birth-name attributions.
  4. Daily Sabah — https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2015/01/09/hurrem-sultan-a-beloved-wife-or-master-manipulator
    Supports: Birth-region context, alternate name Roxelane/Roxelana, and burial information.
  5. BBC Mundo — https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c4g26pxyrrno
    Supports: Historical significance, death date, and general biographical framing.
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urSaTxpxo78
    Supports: Mention of *Magnificent Century* as a dramatization of Hurrem Sultan's life.
  7. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meryem_Uzerli
    Supports: Meryem Uzerli's portrayal of Hurrem Sultan in *Muhteşem Yüzyıl*.