Sorghaghtani Beki

Nestorian Christian Kerait princess, married into the imperial family as Tolui's wife. After his death she refused remarriage to her brother-in-law Ögedei and took control of the Toluid appanage. Her diplomatic and dynastic patience over the next two decades placed each of her four sons on a throne — Möngke as Great Khan, Kublai as founder of the Yuan, Hulagu as founder of the Ilkhanate, Arik Böke as a contender. The historian Rashid al-Din called her the most intelligent woman in the world.