George Ghica

Who was George Ghica?

George Ghica founder of the Ghica family, was Prince of Moldavia in 1658–1659 and Prince of Wallachia in 1659–1660.

George Ghica was born in Köprülü, present day Veles, to Albanian parents. At a young age, Ghica was involded in trading and dealings with merchandise. George, along with his father expanded their business and moved to Moldavia. Accumulating a substantial amount of wealth, George became a nobleman and was sent to the Sublime Porte as an ambassador. He was in favour with Vasile Lupu in Moldavia and 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 conspicuous in the history of Moldavia and Wallachia.