Barbu Ştirbey

Prince Barbu Stirbey (1873-1946) was briefly Prime Minister of Romania in 1927. He was the son of Prince Alexandre Stirbey and his wife Marie Ghika-Comanesti, and grandson of another Prince Barbu Stirbey (né Bibesco), who was Hospodar of Walachia and died in 1869.

He married Nadèje Bibesco about 1895, and had 4 daughters.

His real significance in Romania history arises from his role as close confidant of Queen Marie, who was herself a highly influential figure in Romanian government circles prior to the accession of her son King Carol II to the throne in 1930.

Stirbey and Queen Marie were lovers, and Stirbey was probably the father of Marie's fourth child Ileana and most likely of her youngest child Mircea.