Elena of Moldavia

Elena Stefanovna of Moldavia (1465-1505), was a Moldavian royal and daughter of Stephen III, who became Crown Princess of Muscovite Russia by her marriage to Ivan the Young.

Elena married Ivan the Young in 1483, giving birth to Prince Dmitry Ivanovich. After the death of her spouse in 1490, her son was appointed the next heir to the throne. She actively participated in politics at court to protect her son's interests and rights to succession against Sophia Palaiologina, the stepmother of her late spouse, who wished for her son to be appointed heir. In 1502, the Sophia faction defeated the Elena faction and Elena and her son were imprisoned. She was poisoned in prison in 1505.

References

• Мохов Н. А. Молдавия эпохи феодализма. — Кишинёв: Картя Молдовеняскэ, 1964. — С. 196—197.