3 Female Rulers You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of
2 Queens and an Empress who left an indelible mark on the nations they ruled
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning queen regnant in history (70 years, 214 days), and likely the most well-known today. However, history is full of female monarchs who made their mark on the countries they ruled and paved the way for women leaders today.
Here are 3 female monarchs who showed the world just what they were capable of.
- Queen Seondeok of Silla
Queen Seondeok was the first female ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla, reigning between 632 CE and 647 CE. One legend states that despite the tradition of male succession, she requested that her father give her the chance to prove herself worthy of the throne, and was appointed his successor after doing so. However, other accounts state she became the monarch because her father had no sons to pass the throne to.
Her reign is characterized by the foundation she built for a future unification of the three Korean kingdoms, through an alliance with the Chinese Tang dynasty. Domestically, Seondeok’s reputation was enhanced through tax reduction policies for the peasants and middle class, her efforts to integrate Buddhism through the construction of temples and statues, as well as investments in schools and the arts. The construction of the Cheomseongdae (the first and oldest observatory in East Asia) was conducted during her tenure.
Despite her accomplishments, Seondeok faced multiple attempts to overthrow her both before and during her reign, mainly from elements of the aristocracy who did not believe a woman should sit on the throne. While each rebellion was squashed, she passed away during the last one, likely due to an unspecified illness. Her successor was her cousin, Queen Jindeok, who also contributed to unifying the three Korean kingdoms.
2. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands is the longest-serving and first female monarch in Dutch history, ruling for almost 58 years. Having overseen the Dutch Empire throughout WWI and WW2, she is credited with ensuring the continuation of the Dutch royal house and developing the Netherlands as an industrial power.
After her father’s death in 1890, Wilhelmina became queen at the tender age of 10, upon which her mother served as regent until she turned 18. Despite her youth, she proved to be a strong-willed ruler with a keen business sense, eventually becoming the first female billionaire and richest woman in the world through multiple investments in the United States.
During WW1, she maintained Dutch neutrality despite the Netherlands being included in the Allies’ blockade of Germany, leading to restrictions on Dutch imports. In addition, her personal popularity was vital in restoring confidence in the government during periods of civil unrest. Later, in WW2, she headed the Dutch government in exile while in England, becoming the symbol of the Dutch resistance, and during a visit to the United States, became the first queen to address the U.S. Congress.
In 1948, due to failing health, Queen Wilhelmina abdicated in favor of her only daughter, Juliana, spending the rest of her years traveling the country before her death in 1962. Today, she remains one of the most popular Dutch monarchs. Her great-grandson, Willem-Alexander is the current King of the Netherlands.
3. Empress Elizabeth Petrovna of Russia
While many may have heard of Catherine the Great of Russia, her predecessor Empress Elizabeth of Russia (Elizaveta Petrovna) was just as influential a ruler, famous for never executing a single person during her reign. Given the Romanov dynasty’s history of ruthless rulers (Ivan the Terrible comes to mind), this decision highlights her strength in ruling with stability while being merciful.
A daughter of Peter the Great (renowned for opening the Russian Empire towards Europe), Elizabeth was raised during the last decade of her father’s rule. After his death, her mother (Catherine I) ruled for barely three years before dying in 1727, reducing Elizabeth’s status in court and leaving her position in jeopardy.
This was followed by a series of short-lived successions, spanning her nephew, cousin, and great-nephew before she seized the throne in 1741. Her status as Peter the Great’s daughter was crucial in obtaining the military’s backing, as was her habit of visiting the elite regiments and supporting their families. The coup was bloodless, and she vowed to never allow a single death sentence during her reign, keeping the promise for two decades.
At the age of 33, Elizabeth was the sole ruler of one of the world’s largest empires. Despite her lack of political experience, her diplomatic tact and strong judgment proved valuable in providing stability after years of political turmoil and reducing foreign influence in Russian politics. Her reforms included expanding education to all social classes, outlawing capital punishment, and financing many construction projects. One such project was the Winter Palace, the official residence of Romanov rulers until the dynasty’s collapse in 1918.
Elizabeth chose her nephew (Peter III) as her successor, and chose Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst as his bride. After her death in 1762, Peter III would be overthrown by his wife, who became Catherine the Great and ruled Russia until 1796.
Whether their impact is recognized or not, no one can doubt that these 3 women were key players in their respective countries’ future, in areas of war, domestic/foreign policy, or culture.
Sources:
Queen Wilhelmina — A collection of articles (2020) by Moniek Bloks
Elizabeth and Catherine: Empresses of All The Russias (1974) by Robert Coughlan
