Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) / Ζωὴ Πορφυρογέννητη (Empress Zoë) and Μιχαὴλ Ε΄ ὁ Καλαφάτης (Emperor Michael V the Caulker)

Zoë (Greek: Ζωή "life"), the daughter of Constantine VIII, succeeded her father on his death as the only surviving member of the Macedonian dynasty, along with her sister Theodora. Her three husbands, Romanos III (1028–1034), Michael IV (1034–1041) and Constantine IX (1042–1050) later ruled alongside her. From April 19 to June 11, 1042 she reigned as Byzantine Empress alongside her sister Theodora.

Born in 1015, Michael V "the Caulker" (Μιχαὴλ Ε΄ ὁ Καλαφάτης) was the nephew and adopted son of Michael IV. During his reign he tried to sideline Zoe, but a popular revolt forced him to restore her as empress on 19 April 1042, along with her sister Theodora. He was deposed the next day, castrated and tonsured, dying on 24 August 1042.