The first son of George VII of Imereti, George IX of Imereti, was married to Mzekhatun (with whom he had two sons and three daughters) and previously went into exile to his father-in-law George Lipartiani in Mingrelia.
The third son of George VII of Imereti by his wife Tamar (daughter of Mamia III Gurieli), he was enthroned after his brother Alexander V was ousted in the Ottoman-sponsored coup. 
