Nurbanu Sultan was a powerful queen consort of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. She was the wife of Selim II and the mother of Murad III. Despite her lowly origins as a slave, she rose to become a prominent figure in Ottoman politics and society. She was considered to be either Venetian, Jewish or Greek, but neither is generally accepted, names attributed to her include Cecilia Venier-Baffo, Rachel or Kalē Kartanou.
Nurbanu Sultan was known for her intelligence and political acumen. She acted as an advisor to her husband and was instrumental in securing the succession of her son to the throne. She was also a patron of the arts and a builder of charitable institutions. Sultana Nurbanu became the first woman to hold both the rank of Haseki and Valide. She became very influential and was involved in state matters.
Her reign was not without controversy but
Nurbanu Sultan’s legacy remains a powerful and influential figure in Ottoman history. Her leadership and patronage of the arts helped shape the empire during a critical period of its development.
She was buried next to Selim II in his mausoleum in the courtyard of Hagia Sophia, thus becoming the first wife of a sultan who received the honor of being buried next to her husband.
https://dosaresecrete.ro/sultana-nurbanu-o-poveste-din-sultanatul-femeilor/,