Elena Cantacuzino (also Elina, Ilinca) (1611–1687) was a

Wallachia Wallachia or Walachia (; ; : , : ) is a historical and geographical region of modern-day Romania. It is situated north of the Lower Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians. Wallachia was traditionally divided into two sections, Munteni ...

n noble. She was the daughter of

Radu Șerban Radu Șerban (? – 23 March 1620) was a Wallachian nobleman who reigned as the principality's ''voivode'' during two periods from 1602 to 1610 and during 1611. Biography A supposed descendant of Neagoe Basarab, he attained high office during ...

and educated in

Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...

. She married the official Constantin Cantacuzino, with whom she had several children, among them

Șerban Cantacuzino Șerban Cantacuzino (), (1634/1640 – 29 October 1688) was a List of rulers of Wallachia, Prince of Wallachia between 1678 and 1688. Biography Șerban Cantacuzino was a member of the Romanian branch of the Cantacuzino family, Cantacuzino noble ...

. She and her spouse became known for their building projects and the reparations of especially convents and churches. In 1663, her spouse was murdered in a coup. She sent her children abroad and protected the family property. Upon the installation of Antonie din Popeşti to power, she came into an influential position. She was able to have her son appointed governors and the murderers of her spouse punished and the name of her spouse cleared. In 1682, she became the first female in what is now Romania to write a will.

References

* Marcu, George (coord.), Dicţionarul personalităţilor feminine din România, Editura Meronia, București, 2009 {{DEFAULTSORT:Cantacuzino, Elena 1611 births 1687 deaths 17th-century people from the Principality of Wallachia 17th-century Wallachian women