Historic Mothers
Mother of Alexander the Great.
Who is Olympias?
Olympias was the mother of Alexander the Great and a queen of Macedonia. She strongly supported her son and believed he was destined for greatness.
Mother of Prince William and Prince Harry.
Who is Princess Diana?
Princess Diana was the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry. She was known for her kindness, compassion, and charity work, earning her the nickname “The People’s Princess.”
Mother of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Who is Alberta Williams King?
She was a church organist and helped raise a family deeply involved in civil rights.
Mother of Judy Garland, the star of The Wizard of Oz.
Who is Ethel Gumm?
She was a stage performer who helped guide her daughter into show business.
In Mexico, this holiday celebrates mothers every May 10
What is Mother’s Day (Día de las Madres)?
A very important celebration in Mexico where families honour mothers with flowers, food, music, and family gatherings.
Mother of Julius Caesar.
Who is Aurelia Cotta?
Aurelia Cotta was the mother of Julius Caesar. She was known for being intelligent and respected, and she played an important role in raising Caesar and guiding his early life.
Mother of King Charles III.
Who is Queen Elizabeth II?
Queen Elizabeth II was the mother of King Charles III. She was the longest-reigning monarch in British history and led the United Kingdom with dedication for over 70 years.
British nurse known for saving soldiers during the Crimean War and called the “Lady with the Lamp."
Who is Florence Nightingale’s mother, Frances Nightingale?
Frances Nightingale supported her daughter’s education and nursing career.
Mother of Frank Sinatra, the famous singer and actor.
Who is Natalina “Dolly” Sinatra?
She was known for her strong personality and influence in Frank’s early life.
In Thailand, Mother’s Day honors the Queen’s birthday
Who is Queen Sirikit?
She is deeply respected in Thailand, and Mother’s Day is celebrated in her honour with ceremonies and expressions of gratitude.
Mother of Genghis Khan
Who is Hoelun?
She was a strong and resourceful woman who raised her children alone after her husband died, helping shape Genghis Khan into a powerful leader.
Egyptian queen and mother of a famous young pharaoh, Tutankhamun.
Who is Nefertiti? (often believed to be his mother or stepmother)
Nefertiti was a powerful Egyptian queen and the wife of Pharaoh Akhenaten. She is sometimes believed to have been the stepmother or possible mother of Tutankhamun, though historians are not fully certain. Nefertiti is best known for her beauty, influence in religion and politics, and her famous bust discovered in modern times.
Mother of American inventor Thomas Edison.
Who is Nancy Edison?
Nancy Edison taught him at home and encouraged his curiosity when he struggled in school.
Mother of Doris Day, beloved singer and movie star (Pillow Talk).
Who is Alma Kappelhoff?
She encouraged Doris’s love of music and performance from a young age.
In Ethiopia, families celebrate mothers with a feast during this Festival.
What is Antrosht Festival?
A joyful family celebration where people share a large meal, sing, and honour mothers after the rainy season.
Mother of Queen Victoria.
Who is Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld?
Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was the mother of Queen Victoria. She was a German princess who later became part of the British royal family and played an important role in her daughter’s early life.
Mother of Napoleon Bonaparte
Who is Letizia Bonaparte?
Letizia Bonaparte was the mother of Napoleon Bonaparte. She was known for being strong, disciplined, and resilient, and she raised a large family during a turbulent time in history.
Mother of poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou.
Who is Vivian Baxter?
She was a strong and determined woman who later reconnected with her daughter and supported her success.
Mother of Elizabeth Taylor, legendary actress of Cleopatra.
Who is Sara Sothern?
She was a stage actress who supported Elizabeth’s early acting career.
In India, mothers are often called this respectful name.
What is “Maa”?
A warm and loving word for mother that is used in many languages across India.
Mother of Mahatma Gandhi
Who is Putlibai Gandhi?
Putlibai Gandhi was the mother of Mahatma Gandhi. She was deeply religious and known for her kindness, and her values had a strong influence on her son’s beliefs.
Mother of Emperor Akihito.
Who is Empress Kōjun?
Empress Kōjun was the mother of Emperor Akihito. She was the wife of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) and served as empress consort of Japan. She was known for her dedication to family and traditional imperial duties.
Mother of former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Who is Janet Lee Auchincloss?
She was a socialite who supported her daughter’s education, confidence, and public life.
Mother of Audrey Hepburn, star of Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Who is Ella van Heemstra?
A Dutch baroness who lived through World War II and supported Audrey’s early artistic training.
In France, Mother’s Day is called this.
What is Fête des Mères?
A special day where children give gifts and flowers to show appreciation for their mothers.