Background
The daughter of Temryuk of Kabardia, Maria (originally named Kuchenei (Кученей) before her baptism) was presented to Ivan in Moscow after the death of his first wife Anastasia Romanovna.
The daughter of Temryuk of Kabardia, Maria (originally named Kuchenei (Кученей) before her baptism) was presented to Ivan in Moscow after the death of his first wife Anastasia Romanovna.
Ivan was so smitten by Maria"s beauty, that he decided to marry her immediately. She never fully integrated to the Muscovite way of life, and was considered a poor stepmother to Ivan"s two sons Ivan and Feodor. She gave birth to a son named Vasili, named after her father-in-law on 21 March 1563, though he died on 3 May that same year.
Maria was generally hated by her subjects, who believed her to be manipulative and witch-like in her behaviour.
She died on 1 September 1569 at the age of 25. The Tsar never admitted as such, and had many people tortured on suspicion of assassinating the Tsaritsa.
Tsar a 2009 Russian drama film directed by Pavel Lungin.