Who was the Ottoman Empire's most famous female ruler?

The Ottoman Empire had several influential and powerful female figures throughout its history, but the most famous female ruler was Roxelana (Hurrem Sultan), who was a former slave and became the wife of Suleiman the Magnificent.

Roxelana was born around 1502 in Ruthenia (present-day Ukraine) and was taken into slavery by the Crimean Tatars. She was sent to Istanbul, where she became a concubine of Suleiman the Magnificent. She quickly gained his favor and became his trusted advisor and confidant. Suleiman eventually married her, which was an unprecedented move as previous sultans had only married members of their own family.

As a queen consort, Roxelana had a significant influence on the politics of the Ottoman Empire. She was involved in charitable work and founded several schools and hospitals. She also played a key role in foreign affairs, serving as a diplomat and mediator between the Ottoman Empire and other countries.

Roxelana was known for her intelligence, beauty, and political acumen, and her reign marked a significant shift in the power dynamics of the Ottoman court. She is still remembered as one of the most powerful and influential women in Ottoman history.