Lala Mehmed Pasha

Lala Mehmed Pasha (died 28 November 1595) was an Ottoman millitary commander and grand vizier of the Ottoman Empire under the reign of Mehmed III.

Born in Gölmarmara in western Anatolia, he became a lala (tutor) to the sultan Murad III and then to his son Mehmed III, hence his nickname. After having married the daughter of Mehmed III's daye (wet nurse) Halime Hatun, Mehmed Pasha rose to serve as grand vizier in 1595, the first year of Mehmed III's reign, although only for a matter of few days before he suddenly died. His lineage continued for centuries, coming all the way to Huseyin Avni Pasha.