George Ghica Explained

George Ghica
Succession:Prince of Moldavia
Reign1:3 March 1658 – 2 November 1659
Predecessor1:Gheorghe Ștefan
Successor1:Constantin Șerban
Succession2:Prince of Wallachia
Reign2:20 November 1659 – 1 November 1660
Predecessor2:Mihnea III
Successor2:Grigore I Ghica
Spouse:Smaragda (Smada) Lâna
Issue:Grigore I Ghica
House:Ghica
House-Type:Dynasty
Father:Matei Ghica
Birth Date:3 March 1600
Birth Place:Köprülü, Rumelia Eyalet, Ottoman Empire
Death Date:2 November 1664
Death Place:Istanbul
Signature:George Ghica's signature, 1659.svg
Religion:Orthodox

George Ghica (Albanian: Gjergj Gjika, Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan: Gheorghe Ghica) (3 March 1600  - 2 November 1664) founder of the Ghica family, was Prince of Moldavia in 1658–1659 and Prince of Wallachia in 1659–1660.

While in Istanbul, he became close friends with the Grand Vizier Köprülü Mehmed Pasha and helped him on to high positions. As Prince of Wallachia he moved the capital from Târgoviște to Bucharest.

From him are descended the numerous branches of the family which became notable in the history of Moldavia and Wallachia. His son was Grigore I Ghica.

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