Sayyida al-Hurra: Pirate Queen of the Mediterranean Exile, Empire, and Revenge on the High Seas

Before Anne Bonny. Before Grace O’Malley. There was Sayyida al-Hurra — the Pirate Queen of the Mediterranean.

In this episode of For the Love of History, we uncover the extraordinary true story of Sayyida al-Hurra, a Muslim woman who rose to power in the late 1400s and became one of the most feared pirates in history. Born in Granada during the violence of the Reconquista, Sayyida was forced to flee Spain as Catholic rulers Ferdinand and Isabella expelled, enslaved, and murdered thousands of Muslims. That injustice would shape her destiny.

After becoming governor of Tetouan (Tétouan), Morocco, Sayyida didn’t just rule — she fought back. Partnering with the legendary Ottoman pirate Hayreddin Barbarossa (Redbeard), she launched relentless naval attacks against Spanish and Portuguese ships, dominating the Mediterranean and earning her title as the unrivaled pirate queen. Her piracy wasn’t just about wealth; it was about defense, revenge, and protecting displaced Muslim communities.

This episode explores:

• The Reconquista and the forced expulsion of Muslims from Spain

• How Sayyida al-Hurra became a female political leader and naval commander

• Her alliance with Barbarossa, one of history’s most famous pirates

• Pirate warfare, ransom, and Mediterranean power politics

• How piracy rebuilt Tetouan into a thriving city

• Why European powers feared her — and her people adored her

• Her unprecedented marriage to the Sultan of Morocco on her own terms

Sayyida al-Hurra’s legacy lives on in the walls of Tetouan, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in the history of women who refused to be erased.

If you love pirate history, women in power, Islamic history, and stories of resistance against empire, this episode is for you.

Grab your sword, your most dramatic blouse, and let’s set sail.

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