Born on the island of Lesbos (Ottoman Empire) to Yakup Ağa, a sipahi of Turkish or Albanian origin, and Katerina, a local Greek Christian woman .

Begins naval career as a corsair under his elder brother Oruç Reis, operating in the Aegean and Mediterranean .

Joins Oruç at Djerba; brothers begin operations in the Western Mediterranean .

Brothers transport Muslim refugees (Mudéjars) from Spain to North Africa; Oruç earns the nickname "Baba Oruç," which becomes "Barbarossa" (Redbeard) .

Brothers capture Algiers from Spain; Oruç declares himself Sultan .

Oruç killed in battle with Spanish forces. Hızır inherits the nickname "Barbarossa" and the leadership of Algiers; receives the honorary name Hayreddin ("best of the faith") .

Captures the Peñón of Algiers from Spain, securing his base .

Leads joint naval campaigns with France against the Habsburgs .

Retires to Constantinople (Istanbul) .

Dies in Constantinople at age ~67–68. Buried in the Barbaros Türbesi mausoleum in Beşiktaş, Istanbul .