Ivan Asen III of Bulgaria

Ivan Asen III (c. 1259–1303), son of Tsar Mitso Asen and a daughter of Ivan Asen II, claimed Bulgaria with Byzantine backing. In 1277 or 1278 Michael VIII Palaiologos married him to his daughter Irene Palaiologina. While Ivaylo was blockaded at Silistra, a Byzantine army took Tarnovo and enthroned him in 1279.

Ivaylo returned and routed the Byzantine relief armies; in 1280 Ivan fled with the palace treasure to Constantinople. He sought Nogai Khan's aid in vain and died on his Troad estates in 1303.