Hayreddin Barbarossa, also known as Hayreddin Pasha, Hızır Hayrettin Pasha, and simply Hızır Reis (c. 1466/1483 – 4 July 1546), was an Ottoman corsair who later became an admiral in the Ottoman Navy. His naval successes played a pivotal role in establishing Ottoman supremacy in the Mediterranean during the mid-16th century. Born on the island of Lesbos, he embarked on his naval career as a corsair alongside his older brother, Oruç Reis. In 1516, the brothers captured Algiers from the Spanish, and Oruç declared himself Sultan. After Oruç's passing in 1518, Khizr inherited his brother's moniker, "Barbarossa" (meaning "Redbeard" in Italian). He also received the honorary title Hayreddin, derived from the Arabic "Khayr ad-Din," signifying "goodness of the faith" or "best of the faith." In 1529, Barbarossa seized the Peñón of Algiers from the Spanish. In 1533, Suleiman the Magnificent appointed Barbarossa as the Kapudan Pasha, or grand admiral, of the Ottoman Navy. During the same year, he led a diplomatic mission to France, captured Tunis in 1534, achieved a decisive victory against the Holy League at Preveza in 1538, and engaged in joint military campaigns with the French in the 1540s. Barbarossa retired to Constantinople in 1545 and passed away the following year.

Hayreddin Barbarossa - Wikipedia