Theodora Doukaina Vatatzina

Theodora Palaiologina
Theodora Palaiologina (right) with Michael VIII (left) and her son Constantine (middle)
Spouse(s)	Michael VIII Palaiologos
Noble family	Vatatzes
Father	John Doukas
Mother	Eudokia
Born	c. 1240
Died	4 March 1303(1303-03-04)

Theodora Doukaina Komnene Palaiologina (Greek: Θεοδώρα Δούκαινα Κομνηνή Παλαιολογίνα;c. 1240 – 4 March 1303), usually known simply as Theodora Palaiologina, was the Empress consort of the Byzantine emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos.

Theodora was a daughter of John Doukas (born 1215) and his wife Eudokia. Her paternal grandfather was sebastokrator Isaac Doukas Vatatzes (died 1261), the older brother of the Nicaean emperor John III Doukas Vatatzes (r. 1221/22–1254). Theodora's maternal grandfather was protostrator John Komnenos Angelos; his name indicates he was a member of the Angelos family, but his exact relations to the reigning members of the family are not known. Her grandmother's name is not known.

Acropolites mentions that the father of Theodora died in young manhood. Her mother died in the early 1250s. Leaving Theodora to be raised by her great-uncle John III who was said to have "loved her like a daughter". In 1253, John III arranged the marriage of Theodora to Michael Palaiologos, who had been steadily rising in distinction due to a combination of familial connections and military abilities.

John III died on 3 November 1254. He was succeeded by his only son Theodore II Laskaris, who died four years later leaving his only son John IV Laskaris, a youth of seven. Michael maneuvered his way into first becoming regent of John IV, then advancing step by step to despotes making him next in order to Emperor. The final step came at the beginning of 1259 when Michael and John were crowned as co-emperors. There is no clear indication that Theodora was crowned empress at this time, but Alice-Mary Talbot notes the historian George Pachymeres contrasts the imperial couple with the young John who wore less impressive regalia.