# House of Zogu

The House of Zogu, or Zogolli during Ottoman times and until 1922, is an Albanian dynastic family whose roots date back to the early 20th century. The family provided the first president and the short-lived modern Albanian Kingdom with its only monarch, Zog I of Albania (1928–1939).

## History

The dynasty was founded by Zogu Pasha, who migrated to the region of Mat in north-central Albania during the early 13th century.
The Zogu family’s roots are tied to the Mati region of Albania, where they established prominence following the Ottoman conquest over four centuries ago. According to local legend, their rise began with a warrior from the village of Zogaj who intervened during a moment of crisis. An Ottoman official, Gazi Bey, sought to humiliate the families of Mati by demanding their unmarried daughters perform degrading acts. Outraged by this, the warrior from Zogaj rallied the people of Mati, leading a rebellion that ended with the defeat of Gazi Bey. In gratitude, a local chief offered the warrior his daughter’s hand in marriage, laying the foundation for the family’s legacy in Mati. The family name, “Zogolli,” reflects a blend of Albanian and Ottoman influences. It derives from the warrior’s village, Zogaj, with the addition of the Turkish suffix “-oglu,” meaning “son of.” This naming custom was typical under Ottoman rule. Another, less substantiated theory suggests a connection to a German crusader duke (Herzog) who settled in Mati and adopted the name "Zog," but this narrative is largely dismissed as speculative.
The most famous member of the dynasty is Zog I, who in 1928 proclaimed himself King of the Albanians and ruled until he was deposed by Victor Emmanuel III of Italy following the Italian invasion of 1939. Victor Emmanuel subsequently assumed the Albanian throne.
With the death in exile of King Zog in 1961, he was succeeded as claimant to the throne and head of the House of Zogu by his only son Leka, Crown Prince of Albania (born 1939), who was proclaimed King of the Albanians by the Albanian National Assembly in exile. Leka I remained head of the house and claimant to the throne until his death in 2011 when he was succeeded by his only son, Leka II.
Leka II has no sons and is the only living male descendant of King Zog. The current heir presumptive to Prince Leka is Skënder Zogu, his first cousin once removed.

### Situation as of 2025

Prince Leka II, the only living male descendant of King Zog I and the head of the royal house as of 2020, has no sons. The current heir presumptive to Prince Leka is Skënder Zogu, his first-cousin once removed.

## Family tree

* Mahmud Pasha Zogolli
** Xhelal Pasha Zogolli, Hereditary Governor of Mati, married Ruhije Alltuni
*** Hedije Hanem, married Yusuf Bej Biçakçi, had issue, three sons and five daughters
*** Riza Bej Zogolli, Hereditary Governor of Mati
**** Khairuddin Bey Zogolli
**** Liman Bey Zogolli
**** Khalid Bey Zogolli
***** Hasan Bej Zogolli, had issue, three sons and two daughters
*** Zia Pasha Zogolli
**** Fehim Ziya Bey Zoga, had issue, three sons and one daughter
**** Omer Naïm Bey Burel, had issue, one son and three daughters
**** Nevin Khanum, had issue, two sons and two daughters
*** Xhemal Pasha Zogu, Hereditary Governor of Mati, married Zenja Malika Hanem then Sadije Toptani
**** Prince Xhelal Zogu, married Ruhije Doshishti, Ikbal Pekkini, Faika Minxhalliu and Hyrijet Allaj
***** Said Zogu
***** Melek Zogu
***** Elvira Zogu
***** Skënder Zogu, married Jacqueline Cosme
****** Virginie Alexandra Geraldine Zogu
***** Melite Zogu
***** Vera Zogu
***** Mirgin Zogu
***** Genc Zogu
**** Unknown child
**** Princess Adile Zogu, married Emin Bey Agolli, had issue, three sons and two daughters
**** Zog I, King of Albania, married Geraldine of Albania
***** Leka, Crown Prince of Albania, married Susan Cullen-Ward
****** Leka, Prince of Albania, married Elia Zaharia
******* Princess Geraldine
**** Princess Nafije, married Ceno Kryeziu, had issue, one son
***** Tati, Prince of Kosovo
**** Unknown Son
**** Princess Senije, married Şehzade Mehmed Abid, no issue
**** Princess Myzejen, unmarried, no issue
**** Princess Ruhije, unmarried, no issue
**** Princess Maxhide, unmarried, no issue