Bayezid I Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Cause of Death, Wife, Children

Bayezid I, also known as Yıldırım Bayezid (meaning “Thunderbolt” in Turkish), was the fourth Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, reigning from 1389 to 1402.  

He is renowned for his rapid military campaigns and significant territorial expansions in both Anatolia and the Balkans.

His swift conquests and the centralization of the Ottoman state under his rule marked a pivotal era in Ottoman history.

However, his reign concluded with a significant defeat at the hands of Timur (Tamerlane) at the Battle of Ankara in 1402, resulting in his capture and subsequent death in captivity.  

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• Full name: Bayezid I
• Nickname: Yıldırım (The Thunderbolt)
• Date of birth: 1354
• Age as of 2025: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Edirne, Ottoman Empire
• State of origin: Edirne
• Nationality: Ottoman
• Profession: Sultan (Monarch)
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Father: Murad I, Mother: Gülçiçek Hatun
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Olivera Despina
• Children: Süleyman Çelebi, İsa Çelebi, Musa Çelebi, Mehmed Çelebi (later Mehmed I)
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Islam
• Ethnicity: Turkic
• Net worth: $100 million

Early Life and Education

Bayezid I was born in 1354 in Edirne, the then-capital of the Ottoman Empire. He was the son of Sultan Murad I and Gülçiçek Hatun. During his early years, Bayezid received a comprehensive education that encompassed Islamic theology, military tactics, and administrative governance.

In 1381, he was appointed as the governor of Kütahya, a significant Anatolian city, where he gained valuable experience in administration and military leadership. His early exposure to governance and warfare prepared him for his future role as Sultan.

Personal Life

Bayezid I was married to Olivera Despina, the daughter of Serbian Prince Lazar. Their marriage was both a political alliance and a personal union following the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, where Prince Lazar was killed.

Bayezid had several children with his consorts, including four sons: Süleyman Çelebi, İsa Çelebi, Musa Çelebi, and Mehmed Çelebi. After Bayezid’s death, these sons engaged in a power struggle known as the Ottoman Interregnum, vying for control over the empire.

Career

Bayezid I ascended to the Ottoman throne in 1389 after the death of his father, Murad I, at the Battle of Kosovo. His reign was marked by rapid military campaigns, earning him the nickname “Yıldırım” (The Thunderbolt).

He significantly expanded the empire’s territories, conquering large parts of the Balkans and Anatolia. One of his notable military achievements was the victory at the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396, where he defeated a coalition of European crusaders.

Bayezid also laid siege to Constantinople, aiming to capture the Byzantine capital, although this siege was lifted due to the threat posed by Timur’s advancing forces. In 1402, Bayezid faced Timur at the Battle of Ankara, where he suffered a devastating defeat and was captured, leading to a significant crisis within the Ottoman Empire.

Net Worth

Bayezid I would be worth around $100 million in today’s world.

Death

Bayezid I died in captivity on March 8, 1403, in Akşehir after being held by Timur following his defeat at the Battle of Ankara. The circumstances of his death are subject to various historical accounts, with some suggesting suicide, illness, or execution. His death led to the fragmentation of the Ottoman Empire and initiated the Ottoman Interregnum, a period of civil war among his sons.

Controversy

Bayezid I’s reign and subsequent defeat at the hands of Timur have been subjects of extensive historical debate and controversy. His aggressive expansionist policies, while initially successful, may have overextended the empire’s resources and provoked conflicts with other powers, notably Timur’s Timurid Empire.

The Battle of Ankara in 1402, in which Bayezid was defeated and captured, is often cited as a turning point that exposed the vulnerabilities of the rapidly expanding Ottoman Empire. The aftermath of this defeat plunged the empire into a period of chaos and civil war known as the Ottoman Interregnum, which lasted until 1413.  

During this time, Bayezid’s sons fought for supremacy, resulting in further instability and the loss of territories. Additionally, Bayezid’s treatment of conquered populations and his centralization efforts have been scrutinized, with some historians arguing that his policies disrupted traditional power structures and contributed to internal dissent.  

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