Anna Ivanovna (1693-1740), daughter of Peter the Great’s half-brother and co-ruler, Ivan V (1666-1696), and his wife, Praskovia Saltykova (1664-1723). She became Empress of Russia in 1730 after the death of her first cousin once removed, Emperor Peter II (1715-1730).

During Empress Anna’s reign, Tsarskoe Selo belonged to Peter I’s daughter, Elizabeth Petrovna, the future Empress of Russia. She used it as her suburban residence and hunting castle.