Eleonora di Toledo

Eleonora di Toledo (1522-1562) is credited with being the first modern style first lady, or consort, as we understand the terms today. She achieved this through the high profile role she created for herself in her adopted country. Eleonora di Toledo was a member of the Spanish Aragón family, the daughter of the Viceroy of Naples, Don Pedro Alvarez de Toledo. She became the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici, the ruler of Tuscany, whom she married in 1539.

Children

Eleonora and Cosimo had many children, including eight sons, while before this time the Medici line had been in danger of becoming extinct. Thus by providing an heir, and ample spares, as well as through her daughters' marriages into other ruling and noble families of Italy, she was able to inaugurate an era of strength and stability in Tuscany. Two of her sons, Francesco and Ferdinando, reigned as grand Dukes of Tuscany.

Related Topics:
Francesco - Ferdinando

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~