| Francesco III Gonzaga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Duke of Mantua Marquess of Montferrat | |
| Reign | 28 June 1540 – 21 February 1550 |
| Predecessor | Federico II Gonzaga |
| Successor | Guglielmo I Gonzaga |
| Born | 10 March 1533 Mantua,Duchy of Mantua |
| Died | 22 February 1550(1550-02-22) (aged 16) Mantua,Duchy of Mantua |
| Spouse | Catherine of Austria (m. 1549–50; his death) |
| House | House of Gonzaga |
| Father | Federico II Gonzaga |
| Mother | Margaret Paleologina |
Francesco IIIGonzaga (10 March 1533 – 22 February 1550) wasDuke of Mantua andMarquess of Montferrat from 1540 until his death. He was the eldest son ofFederico II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua and his wifeMargaret Paleologina.[1]
On 22 October 1549, he marriedCatherine of Austria, a daughter ofHoly Roman EmperorFerdinand I.[1] The marriage lasted only four months, as Francesco died of pneumonia on 21 February 1550, after falling into one of Mantua's lakes during a hunt. The widowed Catherine returned home to Innsbruck. The Habsburgs claimed that the marriage was notconsummated to increase Catherine's chances for a better second marriage.
Knight of theOrder of the Golden Fleece| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Duke of Mantua Marquess of Montferrat 1540–1550 | Succeeded by |
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