Isom-Verhaaren|155Saliha, also married a grand vizier, Cigalazade Yusuf Sinan Pasha. These mar-
riages indicate the continuing prominence of female descendants of Mihrimah.
Rüstem became second vizier in 1541 and grand vizier in 1544. He held this
position from 1544 until his death in 1561, except for 1553–1555, when he was dis-
missed from office. Rüstem was a controversial administrator. Although his fiscal
policies enriched the treasury, he was accused of avarice and bribery. Mihrimah,
as well as the treasury, benefited from Rüstem’s financial talents, but the source
of her personal wealth was gifts from her father.
Europeans and Ottomans closely monitored the activities of Hurrem, Mih-
rimah, and Rüstem because of their involvement in the rivalry among the princes
as to who would succeed Süleyman. Ottoman succession policy mandated that
one son would inherit the entire empire. Mustafa, Süleyman’s eldest son, was a
popular prince, and while Süleyman recognized his admirable qualities, he also
understood the fate of his children by Hurrem if Mustafa became sultan. After
hearing a conversation between Cihangir and Süleyman, the Venetian Navagero
reported that Cihangir believed that if Mustafa became sultan he would permit
Cihangir to live because of his deformity, rather than execute him. Süleyman
dismissed this possibility when he told Cihangir, “My son, Mustafa will become
sultan and will take the lives of all of you.” Mehmed II (r. 1451–1481) had codified
Ottoman practice that the successful candidate for the throne should execute his
brothers to prevent unrest.
Thus, once Rüstem had married Mihrimah it was in the interests of Rüstem,
Mihrimah, and Hurrem to promote the succession of one of Hurrem’s sons, be-
cause their future prosperity if not their lives depended on it. Although at dif-
ferent periods during his reign Süleyman may have been willing to allow all his
sons to compete freely to succeed him, it seems that he favored his first son by
Hurrem, Mehmed, as his successor. But Mehmed died of natural causes in 1543.
Süleyman was devastated by his death and built an impressive mosque complex
in his honor. When Rüstem became grand vizier in 1544 he was in an ideal posi-
tion to assist Hurrem’s sons and thus Mihrimah’s full brothers against her half
brother, Mustafa.
Rüstem was not merely the sultan’s grand vizier; he was also the sultan’s
son-in-law, and the appointments he made benefited his brother as well as Mih-
rimah’s. In 1548 Süleyman gave the post of admiral to Sinan, the brother of
Rüstem Pasha, who had previously been the governor (sancakbey) of Herzego -
vina. Sinan owed his elevation to admiral to the influence of Rüstem, Mihrimah,
and Hurrem. His appointment not only advanced his career but was vital for the
plans that Mihrimah and Hurrem had to prevent Mustafa from inheriting the
throne. That Sinan’s abilities were not the reason for his appointment is clear
from both Ottoman and Venetian sources; for example, the historian Mustafa