Sultan Ibrahim was the last of the three sons of Ahmed I to ascend to the throne. His mother was Kösem Mahpeyker Sultan.
Born in 1615 in Istanbul, his childhood coincided with the most chaotic period of the Ottoman palace; all his brothers were killed by Murad IV, his elder brother, and he lived in the palace for many years, locked up in fear of death. Due to these traumas he experienced, his mental state was not very stable therefore he is called as Mad Ibrahim by some historians. He was twenty-five years old when he ascended to the throne as the 18th Ottoman Sultan upon the death of Murad IV in 1640.
During Sultan Ibrahim's eight-year reign, there was a calm period in terms of both external and internal events, especially the first years were quite stable and peaceful and the financial situation improved. Murad IV's harsh, strict regime gave way to a freer administration. But towards the end of the reign, his fondness for women and luxury became a problem as he imposed new taxes on the people.
In 1645, an expedition was made to Crete and a part of the island was captured.
Ibrahim was dethroned and executed by strangulation in the ulema (islamic scholars) and janissary rebellion of 1648. His son Mehmed IV succeeded him.