Here is the list of wives of each of 36 Sultans of the Ottoman Empire, mothers of their children or just Valide Sultans. starting with Sultan Mehmed VI Vahideddin.
The **Osman** or **Ottoman dynasty** was one of the longest-lasting ruling families in history, spanning over 600 years and producing a number of influential women. Many Ottoman women played significant roles in the empire, especially in the royal harem, where they influenced politics, culture, and dynastic succession. Some women are remembered for their political power, while others were known for their beauty, intelligence, and cultural contributions.
Here is a list of notable **Osman (Ottoman) women**, including sultanas, princesses, and consorts, who had a major impact on the empire:
### 1. **Şehime Sultan (c. 1450–?)**
- **Role**: Daughter of Sultan Mehmed II (the Conqueror).
- **Contribution**: She was an important royal figure during the reign of her father, and she was known to have influenced court politics. She married into the noble families of the empire, cementing political alliances.
### 2. **Hürrem Sultan (Roxelana) (c. 1502–1558)**
- **Role**: Consort of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and the mother of Sultan Selim II.
- **Contribution**: Hürrem Sultan (originally from Ukraine or Russia) rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history. She was influential in state affairs, had a significant political role, and is known for her rivalry with other women in the harem, particularly Mahidevran Sultan. She helped secure the throne for her son, Selim II, and was a patron of the arts and charitable works.
### 3. **Mahidevran Sultan (c. 1500–1581)**
- **Role**: Consort of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and mother of Prince Mustafa.
- **Contribution**: Mahidevran was Suleiman's first wife, but she lost favor after the rise of Hürrem Sultan. She was the mother of Mustafa, who was executed due to palace intrigue, a tragedy that marked her life with loss and grief.
### 4. **Nurbanu Sultan (c. 1525–1583)**
- **Role**: Consort of Sultan Selim II and mother of Sultan Murad III.
- **Contribution**: Nurbanu Sultan became one of the most influential women in the Ottoman Empire after Selim II's death. As the mother of Murad III, she served as the de facto regent, wielding significant power in her son's early reign. She was also known for her patronage of the arts and architecture.
### 5. **Kösem Sultan (c. 1589–1651)**
- **Role**: Consort of Sultan Ahmed I and mother of Sultan Murad IV, Sultan Ibrahim, and Sultan Mehmed IV.
- **Contribution**: Kösem Sultan is one of the most powerful women in Ottoman history. After the death of her husband, Sultan Ahmed I, she became the de facto ruler of the empire as regent for her sons, Murad IV and Ibrahim. Kösem wielded enormous political power during her time, and her influence continued even after her sons took the throne.
### 6. **Safiye Sultan (c. 1550–1605)**
- **Role**: Consort of Sultan Murad III and mother of Sultan Mehmed III.
- **Contribution**: Safiye Sultan was influential in the political and military decisions of the empire. After the death of her husband, she became the Valide Sultan (queen mother) during the reign of her son, Mehmed III. She played a role in court politics and in diplomatic relations with European powers.
### 7. **Fatma Sultan (c. 1606–1671)**
- **Role**: Daughter of Sultan Ahmed I.
- **Contribution**: Fatma Sultan was one of the notable princesses of the Ottoman royal family. Though not as politically active as her mothers or grandmothers, she held a position of significant cultural importance and married into the prominent Ottoman noble families.
### 8. **Handan Sultan (c. 1590–1650)**
- **Role**: Wife of Sultan Ahmed I and mother of Sultan Murad IV and Sultan Ibrahim.
- **Contribution**: Handan Sultan is often remembered for her role as the mother of two future sultans. Though not as politically powerful as Kösem, she was a key figure in the court during the early years of her sons’ reigns.
### 9. **Emine Sultan (c. 1800–?)**
- **Role**: Daughter of Sultan Mahmud II.
- **Contribution**: Emine Sultan married into the royal family and played a part in the intricate relationships within the court of the 19th century. She was known for her intellect and cultural contributions.
### 10. **Rabia Sultan (?-1800)**
- **Role**: Princess and daughter of Sultan Mustafa III.
- **Contribution**: Known for her scholarly interests and artistic pursuits, Rabia Sultan was a well-educated member of the royal family who contributed to the cultural life of the empire during the 18th century.
### 11. **Zeynep Sultan (?-1720)**
- **Role**: Daughter of Sultan Ahmed III.
- **Contribution**: Known for her elegance and beauty, Zeynep Sultan became an influential figure at court. She was married to an Ottoman statesman and played a role in the political life of the empire.
### 12. **Mihrişah Sultan (1742–1806)**
- **Role**: Wife of Sultan Abdulhamid I.
- **Contribution**: Mihrişah Sultan was a consort of Sultan Abdulhamid I and became a powerful figure in the harem. She is known for her patronage of the arts and her involvement in political matters, especially as she was the mother of Sultan Selim III.
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These women, from consorts to sultanas and princesses, often had major influence over the empire, its politics, and cultural developments. Many played crucial roles in palace intrigues, royal succession, and even in shaping Ottoman policy through their children and their political marriages. Some, like **Hürrem Sultan** and **Kösem Sultan**, are remembered as true political powerhouses, while others, like **Mahidevran Sultan**, experienced tragedy and loss within the harem’s complex power dynamics.
• Sultan Mehmed VI Vahideddin
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His mother was Princess Fatma Chachba from the Abkhazian Shervashidze dynasty born in 1830 in Abkhazia. She married Abdulmejid in 1854 and had three daughters and a son Mehmed VI Vahideddin with him, her name was changed to Gulistu Kadin. She died in 1861. in Istanbul.
Wives:
When she married her name changed to Nazikeda Kadin and she was one of five wives her husband Sultan Mehmed VI had in order to have a male heir besides his daughters with Nazikeda Kadin.
• Sultan Mehmed V Resad
His mother was Gulcemal Kadin born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1926. marrying Abdulmejid I in 1840. She died 29.11.1861. having three daughters besides her son Mehmed V Resad.
Wives:
Kamures Kadin was born in 05.03.1855. in Ganja, present day Azerbaijan having one son as her offspring with Mehmed V Resad and she was one of five consorts he had.
Princess Hatice Hanim was born in Sochi present day Russia in 16.05.1860. while her name changed upon marriage to Durruaden Kadin and died in 17.10.1909. from tuberculosis. She had one son with Sultan Mehmed V Resad.
Fatma Hanim was born in 15.10.1869. in Sochi present day Russia as Circassian and her name changed to Mihrengiz Kadin upon marriage with Sultan Mehmed V Resad. She had one son and died on 12.12.1938.
Abkhazian princess of Cikotua family was born in 12.06.1870. Rukiye Hanim changed her name to Nazperver Kadin. She had one daughter and died on 09.03.1929. in Istanbul.
Dilfirib Kadin was born on Istanbul on 1890. as Circassian. She remained childless with her husband and died on 1952 in Istanbul after remarrying again and having a daughter.
• Abdul Hadim II
His mother was born as Virginia in 16.10.1819. in Circassian part of North Caucasus and got her name changed to Tirimujgan Kadin upon her marriage with Abdulmejid I in 1840. She had a daughter and two sons one beong Abdul Hadim II. She died in Istanbul on 03.10.1852.
Wives:
Princess Mediha Tsalba was renamed as Nazikeda upon her arrival to Ottoman Empire. She was born in 1848. in Abkhazia and died in Istanbul on 11.04.1895. She had one daughter.
Safinaz Nurefsun Kadin
Bedrifelek Kadin was born on 04.01.1851. and she was given the title the Third Kadin upon her marriage with Abdul Hamid II. She was a refugee from Anapa, Russia as a Cirsassian from the house of Kerzedzh and had three children with her husband.
Princess Bidar Talhosten was born in 05.05.1855. in Kobuleti, Georgia of Cirsassian origin and had two children with her husband. She died 13.01.1918. in Istanbul.
Azize Dilpesend Kadin was born in Tbilisi, Georgia of Giray dynasty of Crimea on 16.01.1865. and died on 17.06.1901. in Istanbul. She had two daughters with her husband.
Kadriye Kamile Merve Mikanba was born on in Ganja, Azerbaijan of Abkhazian noble origin and had one son with her husband. Her name according to local customs was changed to Mezidemestan Kadin. She died on 21.01.1909. in Istanbul.
Emsalinur Kadin was born on 02.1866. in Tbilisi, Georgia. She had one daughter with her husband and died in 1952. in Istanbul.
Ayse Agir was part of the Abkhazian noble family born in 1872. After her marriage her name was changed to Destizer Musfika Kadin and she had one daughter with her husband. She died in Istanbul on 18.07.1961.
Fatma Zekeyi Maan was born on 08.05.1873. and got renamed as Sazkar Hanim upon her marriage. She had one daughter with her husband and died in 1945. in Damascus, Syria.
Princess Hatice Rabia Emuhvari was born in Pitsunda, Georgia on 10.05.1973. in a noble Abkhazian family and had her name changed to Peyveste. She had one son with her husband and died in Paris in 1944.
Princess Fatma Kadriye Achba was born on 13.02.1876. in Istanbul as a part of Abkhazian noble family. After her marriage she changed her name to Pesend Hanim, she had one son and died on 05.11.1924.
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Behiye Maan was born on 10.10.1882. in Adapazari, Turkey with her changing her name upon marriage to Behice Hanim. She had two sons and died in Istanbul on 22.10.1969.
• Murad V
His mother was Sefkeza Kadin born in Circassia on 12.12.1820. marrying Abdulmejid I in 01.08.1839. Beside her son she had a daughter too with her husband Abdulmejid I and she died on 17.09.1889. in Istanbul.
• Abdulaziz Han bib Mahmud
His mother was Pertevniyal Sultan was of Circassian origin born around 1810. She had only one son with her husband Mahmud II. She died on 26.01.1884. in Istanbul.
• Abdulmejid I
His mother was Bezmialem Sultan born in 1807. in Georgia marrying Sultan Mahmud II in 1822. She died in Istanbul on 02.05.1853.
• Mahmud II
His mother was Naksidil Sultan born in Georgia in 1761. marrying Sultan Abdul Hamid I in 1781. She had three children with her husband and died in Istanbul on 22.08.1817.
• Mustafa IV
His mother
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