Sadije Toptani


Sadije Toptani was queen mother of Albanians from September 1928 until her death. She was the mother of Zog I of Albania.

Biography

Sadije was a member of the powerful Toptani family, Sadije was the daughter of Salah Bey Toptani and cousin to Essad Pasha Toptani. She was the second wife of Xhemal Pasha Zogu after the death of his first wife, Melek Hanem.
After her son became king in 1928, she was raised to the title Nëna Mbretëreshë e Shqiptarëve, or Queen Mother of the Albanians, with the style of Her Majesty on September 1, 1928, a position she held until her death. She supervised the Royal Kitchen to ensure that her son could not be poisoned. She was the official protector of the Gruaja Shiqiptare.

Death

Sadije died in the Royal Compound in Durrës and was buried in Tirana the next day. A royal mausoleum was constructed to house her remains. The building was destroyed by Albanian communist forces on 17 November 1944.

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