Eleanor of Toledo

✶January 1, 1522

†December 17, 1562

1 candle burning, 1 lit in all

About their life

Eleanor of Toledo was a Spanish noblewoman who became Duchess of Florence as the first wife of Cosimo I de' Medici. A keen businesswoman, she financed many of her husband's political campaigns and important buildings like the Pitti Palace. She ruled as regent of Florence during his frequent absences: Eleanor ruled during Cosimo's military campaigns in Genoa in 1541 and 1543, his illness from 1544 to 1545, and again at times during the war for the conquest of Siena (1551–1554). She founded many Jesuit churches. She is credited with being the first modern first lady or consort.

Duchess of Florence (1522-1562)

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Biography from the article Eleanor of Toledo on the English Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.