Dürrünev Kadınefendi was born on 15 March 1835 in Batumi, Georgia and was a member of the Abkhazian family, Dziapş-lpa. Born as Melek Dziapş-lpa, she was the eldest daughter of Prince Mahmud Bey Dziapş-lpa and his Abkhazian wife Princess Halime Hanım Çikotua.
She had two sisters, Ayşe Kemalifer Hanım and Aliye Hanım. She had long blonde hair and hazel eyes. Receiving her education in the palace, Dürrünev, was brought into contact with the art, and because of this she also began to paint and draw at relatively young age.
Dürrünev Kadınefendi died on 4 December 1892 at the Feriye Palace, and was buried near the mausoleum of Sultan Mahmud II, located at Divan Yolu street, Istanbul.
25 June 1861 - 30 May 1876: Devletlu İsmetlu Dürrünev Başkadınefendi Hazretleri (Her Highness The First Imperial Lady Consort Dürrünev).
