He was a grandson a
Gjon Zenebishi and a son of
Thopia Zenebishi of the
Zenebishi family. The Zenebishi had established themselves as rulers in the region of
Gjirokastër, ruled by Gjon Zenebishi who in the late 14th century is a recorded as "sebastokrator". Simon appears in the historical records for the first time in a deal the Zenebishi had made with the
Shpata clan of the
Despotate of Arta. As part of their alliance against the
Despote of Epirus,
Carlo Tocco, a daughter of
Muriq Shpata was married to Simon Zenebishi. This alliance held until 1413-14, when, due to unknown actions undertaken by Simon, the alliance between the Zenebishi and Shpata broke and the Zenebishi allied with the Tocco instead. In 1443, Simon Zenebishi built the Strovili fortress with Venetian approval and support. It was located near Saiata (Sayada), In 1454–55 he was recognized by
Alphonso V as a vassal of the
Kingdom of Naples. He had a son, born and raised in
Turkey, who had deserted from the
Turks in 1454, who in 1455 asked the
King of Naples to be
baptized. ==Aftermath==