Fyodor I of Russia, also known as Theodore Ivanovich, was the last Tsar of the Rurik Dynasty, reigning from 1584 until his death in 1598. Born on May 31, 1557, he was the son of Ivan IV of Russia (Ivan the Terrible) and his first wife, Anastasia Romanovna.
Upon the death of his father in 1584, Fyodor ascended to the throne at the age of 27. His reign is often described as a period of relative peace and stability, though his rule was marked by significant influence from his brother-in-law, Boris Godunov. Fyodor's health was frail, and his mental capabilities were often questioned, leading to Godunov taking on many responsibilities of statecraft.
Fyodor I died on January 16, 1598, without an heir, leading to a crisis of succession known as the Time of Troubles. Boris Godunov, who had been the de facto ruler, was elected Tsar by the Zemsky Sobor, marking the end of the Rurik Dynasty and the beginning of the Godunov Dynasty.
Fyodor's reign, though overshadowed by the more dramatic reigns of his father and successor, is noted for its relative calm. His inability to produce an heir or to govern effectively in his own right highlighted the fragility of the Russian monarchy at the end of the 16th century.