The House of Romanov was the ruling dynasty of Russia from 1613 to 1917, succeeding the Rurikids. The dynasty originated with Michael I of Russia, and the family would rule the Tsardom of Russia until 1721, when it became the Russian Empire. In 1762, Peter III of Russia's cadet branch of the family would come to rule Russia after Elizabeth of Russia's death, and the Romanovs would be one of the most powerful and prestigious families in Europe. In 1917, after the Russian Revolution, 18 of the 65 family members would be killed by the Bolsheviks, and the family was forced into exile.