Kösem Sultan, born around 1589, rose from being a concubine to becoming one of the most powerful women in the Ottoman Empire.
She was the wife of Sultan Ahmed I and later became Valide Sultan (queen mother) during the reigns of her sons Murad IV and Ibrahim I, and her grandson Mehmed IV. As regent, she controlled state affairs, influenced court politics, and shaped imperial decisions.
She was known for her charitable works, funding schools, mosques, and aid for the poor. However, her immense influence also made her enemies. In 1651, during a palace power struggle, rivals plotted against her, and she was assassinated in the Topkapı Palace.
Her death ended her decades of dominance but left a legacy as one of the most significant political figures in Ottoman history. Kösem Sultan remains remembered both for her power and her tragic end, representing the complex role of women in Ottoman rule.