Zsuzsanna Lorantffy

wife of Transsylvanian ruling prince George Rákóczi I, patron, school founder

She was born into a large land-owning family of the Zemplén region. Through her dowry Sárospatak came into the estates of the Rákóczi family when, at the age of 16 she became the wife of the 23-year old Borsod bailiff and captain of Ónod, György Rákóczi. They had 32 happy years of marriage together and 5 children of whom only György and Zsigmond lived to their adulthood.

The Sárospatak castle and college experienced their golden years from the time this influential couple moved there. At her husband's side she participated in the running of the family estate; she was a superb manager and gardener, a benefactor of the Reformed church and of educational institutes.

In 1630 George Rákóczi was voted ruling prince of Transylvania and the following year the family moved to Transylvania, though the centre of their estates remained in Sárospatak and she continued to spend much time there. After the death of her husband in 1648 she moved back to Sárospatak and devoted the rest of her life to the development of the city and the flowering of the college. It was then that she invited the educator known throughout Europe, Comenius. She is laid to rest in the crypt under the castle church.