Hürrem

Born in Ukraine,
and also known as Alksandra (Roxelana). She was the daughter of Ukrainian
priests. She became a favorite slave of Suleyman I and later his wife. She gave
birth to six children and had a great influence in the Ottoman Empire. She took
part in the destruction of the Suleyman’s 
first son Mustafa spreading rumors about his involvement in a conspiracy
against the sultan. Her son Selim became emperor after the death of Suleyman.

Contemporary sources do not contain information about her childhood and are
limited only to mention that she is originally from the Ukraine. According to
the Polish poet Samuel Twardowski Hürrem was born in the 17th century in the
town of Rohatyn today in western Ukraine. 1520 she was captured by Crimean
Tartars and sold into slavery. First in Kaffa and then in Istanbul, where she
was selected for the harem of Sultan Suleyman.



She very quickly gained favor with the sultan and put on a jealousy of her
rivals. Her influence on the Sultan will quickly become legendary. She gave
birth to five children, and contrary to a 200-year tradition Suleyman released
her from slavery and made her his wife. It has strengthened her position in the
palace, which ultimately led to her son Selim inheriting the empire after the
death of Suleyman.



Suleyman allowed her to stay with him in the palace until his death in
violation of the tradition that the sultan sons with their mothers go to manage
remote provinces. Hürrem was also his adviser on foreign and domestic policy.



She died on 14.04.1558 and was buried in a grave next to the Suleyman.