Irene Palaiologina

Irene Palaiologina (died after 1356) was the daughter of Despot Demetrios Palaiologos, a son of Emperor Andronikos II. In 1340 she married Matthew Kantakouzenos, eldest son of Emperor John VI Kantakouzenos, and when Matthew was proclaimed co-emperor in April 1353 she became Byzantine empress.

In February 1356 she and Matthew were captured by Serbian raiders in Thrace; handed over to John V in December 1357, Matthew was forced to abdicate and Irene lost her title. She and Matthew had at least five children, including Demetrios Kantakouzenos, later briefly ruler of the Morea.