Anna Ioannovna was born on January 28, 1693. Her father, Ivan Alekseevich, was the brother of Peter the Great, and her mother was Praskovya Fyodorovna. Until the age of 17, she was raised by her uncle, Emperor Peter the Great, who married her off to Duke Friedrich Wilhelm of Courland in 1710. Two months after the wedding, her husband passed away, and Anna remained a widow, continuing to live in Courland at her uncle's behest.

She returned to Russia only in 1730 when she was invited to take the Russian throne. However, her power was limited: the Supreme Council drafted Conditions for her, effectively transferring control into their hands. Anna soon violated these conditions and, with the support of the nobility and the guard, became a full-fledged empress.

Upon starting her reign, she dissolved the Secret Council and established the Cabinet of Ministers. Fearing conspiracies and overthrow, Anna created the Office of Secret Investigations, which abused its power by sending people to Siberia for the slightest offenses.

After the death of Peter the Great, the Russian fleet declined, and Anna initiated its reform. The port in Arkhangelsk was restored, and shipbuilding began, significantly strengthening the fleet. Anna's military reform included increasing officers' salaries and changing the noble service term to 25 years.

Her foreign policy led to the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War of 1735-1739 and the signing of the Belgrade Treaty, under which the fortress of Azov remained with Russia but without the right to maintain a fleet there. In 1737, the fortress of Ochakov was captured, and in 1738, the Russian army defeated the Crimean Khanate.

Empress Anna Ioannovna showed little interest in state affairs, preferring entertainment, balls, outfits, gossip, and bird hunting, which required significant expenditures from the treasury. She was assisted in governing the country by her close friend Biron, who profited from their friendship.

Before her death, Anna appointed her heir, Ivan Antonovich, and Biron as regent for him. On October 17, 1740, the empress passed away from illness, after which the struggle for the throne began.