Mara Branković

Mara Branković (Serbian Cyrillic: Мара Бранковић; 1417/1420 – 14 September 1487), or Mara Despina Hatun, in Europe also known as Amerissa, Sultana Maria or Sultanina, was a Serbian princess, who married Sultan Murad II of the Ottoman Empire.

She became a leading member of the pro-Ottoman party in the Balkans and one of the most powerful women of the 15th century.

Born a Serbian princess, she was the daughter of Serbian despot Đurađ Branković and Eirene Kantakouzene. She later married Sultan Murad II and was a stepmother of Mehmed the Conqueror. She had no children but she became an important figure in her stepson's government, where she was his trusted advisor. Her major role was as a diplomat for the empire with missions to Venice and Hungary. Due to her influence, ambassadors from Venice and Ragusa frequently seek her counsel.

Known as the "mistress of the Christian noblewomen", she promoted cooperation during periods of significant tension between Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Despite her involvement in Ottoman politics, she remained devoted to her Christian faith, influencing the selection of patriarchs of Constantinople and supporting Christian communities under Ottoman rule.