Theodora Porphyrogenita

Theodora Porphyrogenita (c. 980–1056) was the last sovereign of Byzantium's Macedonian dynasty and the youngest daughter of Constantine VIII. In 1028 she refused to marry Romanos Argyros, arguing he was already married and too close a kin, and in 1031 was forced into the Petrion monastery.

The 1042 uprising against Michael V brought her out to rule jointly with her sister Zoe until Zoe married Constantine IX. When Constantine died in January 1055, the aged Theodora took sole power despite court opposition, reigning until her death on 31 August 1056, the end of the Macedonian line.