Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany

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Cosimo I de' Medici
Cosimo I in an official portrait as Grand Duke of Tuscany by

Giovanni Battista Naldini.

Duke of Florence
Reign 6 January 1537 – 21 August 1569
Predecessor Alessandro
Grand Duke of Tuscany
Reign 21 August 1569 – 21 April 1574
Successor Francesco I
Born 12 June 1519
Florence, Republic of Florence
Died 21 April 1574(1574-04-21) (aged 54)
Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Spouse Eleanor of Toledo (m 1539)
Camilla Martelli
(m 1570)
Issue Bia de' Medici
Maria de' Medici
Francesco I de' Medici
Isabella, Duchess of Bracciano
Cardinal Giovanni
Lucrezia, Duchess of Modena
Prince Pedricco
Prince Garzia
Ferdinando I de' Medici
Anna de' Medici
Prince Pietro
Virginia, Duchess of Modena
Full name
Cosimo de' Medici
House House of Medici
Father Giovanni delle Bande Nere
Mother Maria Salviati
Burial Basilica of Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence
Religion Catholicism

Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (12 June 1519 – 21 April 1574) was the second Duke of Florence from 1537 until 1569, when he became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, a title he held until his death.


Children[edit]

  1. Maria de' Medici (3 April, 1540 – 19 November, 1557) engaged to Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, but died before marriage.
  2. Francesco de' Medici (25 March, 1541 – 19 October, 1587): Succeeded his father as Grand Duke of Tuscany and married Joanna of Austria and had children before he married his mistress, Bianca Cappello and had further children.
  3. Isabella de' Medici (31 August 1542 – 16 July 1576): married, Paolo Giordano I Orsini, Duke of Bracciano but had no children.
  4. Giovanni de' Medici (28 September 1543 – November 1562): Became Bishop of Pisa and cardinal.
  5. Lucrezia de' Medici (7 June 1545 – 21 April 1561) married Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.
  6. Pietro (10 August 1546 – 10 June 1547) Died in infancy.
  7. Garzia de' Medici (5 July 1547 – 12 December 1562) died young.
  8. Antonio de' Medici (1 July, 1548 – July 1548): died in infancy.
  9. Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (30 July 1549 – 17 February 1609): Succeeded his brother as Grand Duke of Tuscany and married Christina of Lorraine and had children.
  10. Anna (19 March 1553 – 6 August 1553): Died in infancy.
  11. Pietro de' Medici (3 June 1554 – 25 April 1604) Murdered his wife and cousin, Eleonora di Garzia di Toledo.



Honours[edit]

  • Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece
  • Grand Master of the Holy Military Order of Saint Stephen Pope and Martyr (Tuscany)