Sophia Alekseyevna showed outstanding intelligence, energy and ambition, and was a well-educated woman. After the death of her brother Tsar Fyodor III of Russia (on April, 27th 1682), Sophia actively participated in the struggle of court parties, since she was dissatisfied with the election of the 10-year-old Peter I (future Peter the Great) to the imperial throne.

Having used the Moscow revolt of 1682, the party of the Miloslavskys seized power. Ivan by V Alekseevich was proclaimed "the first" tsar, whereas Sophia was made the regent at both the tsars (her brothers). Sophia actually headed the government, leaning against V.V. Golitsyn, F.L.Shaklovity, and others. In autumn 1682 Sophia’s government sitting in the St. Sergius Trinity Monastery, suppressed a revolt in Moscow by means of nobility troops.

Under Sophia’s rule the detection of fugitive surf peasants was weakened, thus displeasing landowning noblemen.

The most considerable actions of Sophia Alekseyevna’s government in foreign policy were the peace treaty with Poland in 1686, the Nerchinsk contract with China in 1689, and entry into war with Turkey and the Crimean Khanate.

The year 1689 saw a rupture between Sophia and the grouping of boyars and noblemen supporting Peter the Great. The party of Peter the Great won. Sophia Alekseyevna was confined in the Novodevichy Convent. During the Streltsy Revolt in 1698 supporters of Sofia intended to regain her power.

After suppression of the revolt Sophia Alekseyevna was forced to take the veil as Nun Susanna of the Novodevichy Convent, where she finally died.