 Ivan Romanov was the second son of Nikita Romanovich and the younger brother of Feodor Nikitich Romanov.Nikita's grandfather, Nikita Romanovich, had been the brother of Tsarina Anastasia Romanovna, first wife of Ivan the terrible, and had served as regent for his nephew Feodor I in the years 1584-86.The family was thus influential in politics, and was also wealthy; Ivan Romanov, though only a second son, was reputed to be the largest private landowner of his day.