The Cassadines are a fictional aristocratic family from the American soap opera General Hospital. Created by executive producer Gloria Monty, the family was first introduced in February 1981, with the arrival of Tony Cassadine. Brothers Victor and Mikkos were introduced months later. The Cassadines are descendants of Russian royalty and own their own private island in Greece. Various family members have been sometime residents of Port Charles, living in Wyndemere Castle on Spoon Island. The family is known for their longtime feud with the Spencer family. After the family's initial appearance in 1981, they were absent from the series until the arrival of Stavros Cassadine in 1983. The Cassadine family owns and operates the international conglomerate Cassadine Industries. The family is currently represented on canvas by Alexis, Valentin, Nikolas, Sam, Kristina, T.J., Molly, Danny, Spencer, Charlotte, Scout, and Ace.
Background
The Cassadine's are descendants of the Russian aristocracy, with connections to the royal Romanov family. They existed for hundreds of years in Russia until the Bolshevik Revolution forced them to flee to Greece. After that period, they built a large economic empire of power and wealth. The Cassadine's make their first appearance in the 1980s, when Mikkos Cassadine, the patriarch of the family, along with his brothers Victor and Tony, are involved in various nefarious plans, including the Ice Princess storyline, a plot to freeze the world using a weather machine. When Luke Spencer foils their plan, the great feud between the Spencers and Cassadines begins. Elizabeth Taylor originated the role of villain Helena Cassadine, Mikkos' wife, in this era. Her curse on Luke and Laura's wedding was watched by over 30 million viewers.
Traditions
Cassadine line of succession The Cassadine title of "Prince" passes from eldest son to eldest son, and the authority that goes with it both symbolic and real. If a Cassadine Prince were to die without a male heir the title would die with him and the fortune he controlled would be scattered amongst the surviving family members. Cassadine Bacchanalia A traditional masquerade ball thrown in honor of a Cassadine engagement.
Family members
Characters currently on the show are noted in bold; family members through marriage are in italics. Only current spouses or those married at the time of their death appear here.
Distant ancestors
Vladimir Cassadine - The First Cassadine said by Nikolas to be a warrior who founded the Cassadine Empire of Imperial Russia. Anya Cassadine Prince Nikolai Cassadine Nikolas Cassadine (I)
Ancestors
Prince Stanislaus Cassadine
Katya Cassadine
Ivan Cassadine - Based on Mikkos's middle name, which is "Ivanovich"—all of the children in the Cassadine family follow the Russian tradition of a patronymic. Irina Cassadine - According to Stefan, his grand aunt, making her Mikkos's aunt. Eugenia Cassadine
First generation
Prince Mikkos Ivanovich Cassadine, Oldest of the Cassadine siblings. Helena Romanov Victor Ivanovich Cassadine - Middle brother of the trio. Anthony "Tony" Ivanovich Cassadine - Youngest of the brothers. Sophia Ivanovna Cassadine-Davidovitch - Sister of Mikkos, Victor and Tony. Alexei Davidovitch Petros Cassadine - Cousin of Mikkos, Tony, Sophia, and Victor. Dimitri Cassadine - 10th cousin, several times removed of Mikkos.
Second generation
Prince Stavros Nikolai Mikkosovich Cassadine - Son of Mikkos and Helena. Stefan Darius Mikkosovich Cassadine - Son of Mikkos and Helena. Alexis Davis (born Princess Natasha Alexandra Mikkosovna Cassadine) - Daughter of Mikkos and Kristin Bergman. Princess Kristina Mikkosovna Cassadine - Daughter of Mikkos and Kristin Bergman. Valentin Victorovich Cassadine - Son of Helena and Victor Irina Cassadine - Daughter of Helena.
Third generation
Prince Nikolas Mikail Stavrosovich Cassadine - Son of Stavros and Laura Collins. Samantha "Sam" McCall - Daughter of Alexis and Julian Jerome. Kristina Adela Corinthos-Davis - Daughter of Alexis and Sonny Corinthos. Molly Lansing-Davis - Daughter of Alexis and Ric Lansing. Charlotte Cassadine - Daughter of Valentin and Lulu Spencer.
Fourth generation
Prince Spencer Stefan Niklosovich Cassadine - Son of Nikolas and Courtney Matthews. Lila McCall - Daughter of Sam and Sonny Corinthos. Daniel Edward "Danny" Morgan - Son of Sam and Jason Morgan. Emily Scout Cain - Daughter of Sam and Drew Cain. Prince Ace Niklosovich Prince-Cassadine - Son of Nikolas and Esme Prince.