Nefertiti is one of the most famous women of the ancient world. She was the chief wife of the “heretic” Pharaoh Akhenaten and may have ruled alongside him. Yet, we do not even know for sure who Nefertiti’s parents were. They may have been of noble or common birth, and may even have been foreign nationals.
It is sometimes suggested that Nefertiti was the daughter of Tiye and Amenhotep III, which would make her a sister or step-sister of Akhenaten. However, she is not referred to as the King’s Daughter, so this is unlikely. She may have been a descendant of Ahmose-Nefertari, who was not actually directly in line to the throne. She did not use the title “God’s wife of Amun”, but this may have been because of its association with the old gods.