Thuya, the mother of Queen Tiye, left a monumental legacy by becoming the grandmother of Akhenaten and Tutankhamun.

Thuya, the mother of Queen Tiye, left a monumental legacy by becoming the grandmother of Akhenaten and Tutankhamun.

Thuya, the mother of Queen Tiye, left a monumental legacy by becoming the grandmother of Akhenaten and Tutankhamun.

Thuya is believed to be a descendant of Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, and held many official roles in the intertwined religion and government of Kemet. She was involved in many religious cults; her titles included ‘Singer of Hathor’ and ‘Chief of Entertainers’ to both Amun and Min. She also held the influential positions of Superintendent of the Harem of the god Min to Akhmin and to Amun of Thebes. She married Yuya, a powerful courtier of the 18th Dynasty. She is believed to have died around 1375 BC, when she was in her early to mid-50s.

Yuya and Thuya had a daughter named Tiye, who became the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. The Great Royal Wife was the highest Kemet religious position and served alongside the Pharaoh in official ceremonies and rituals.

Yuya and Thuya also had a son named Anen, who bore the titles of Chancellor of Lower Egypt, Second Prophet of Amun, Little Priest of Heliopolis, and Divine Father.