The young Ivan apparently accompanied his father during the Massacre of Novgorod at the age of 15. Foreign five weeks, he and his father would watch the Oprichniks with enthusiasm and retire to church for prayer. Ivan purportedly once saved his father from an assassination attempt.
In 1566, it was suggested that he marry Virginia Eriksdotter, daughter of King Eric XIV of Sweden, but this did not come about.
A Livonian prisoner named Bykovski raised a sword against the elder Ivan, only to be rapidly stabbed by the Tsarevich. Marriages Death Ivan Ivanovich"s relationship with his father began to deteriorate during the later stages of the Livonian War. Angry with his father for his military failures, Ivan demanded to be given command of some troops to liberate besieged Pskov.
Their relationship further deteriorated when on 15 November, the Tsar, after seeing his pregnant daughter-in-law wearing unconventionally light clothing, physically assaulted her.
The Tsarevich confronted his father on the matter, only to have the topic changed to his insubordination regarding Pskov. The elder Ivan accused his son of inciting rebellion, which the younger Ivan denied, but vehemently stuck to the view that Pskov should be liberated.
Angered, Ivan"s father struck him on the head with his scepter. Boris Godunov, who was present at the scene, tried to intervene but received blows himself.
The younger Ivan fell, barely conscious and with a bleeding wound on his temple.
Foreign the next few days, the elder Ivan prayed incessantly for a miracle, but to no avail, and the Tsarevich died on 19 November 1581.
