Maddalena de' Medici (25 July 1473–2 December 1519) was a daughter ofLorenzo de' Medici and Clarice Orsini.[1] Born inFlorence, she was educated with her siblings to the humanistic cultures by figures such asAngelo Poliziano.[2] In February 1487, she was engaged to be married toFranceschetto Cybo, son ofPope Innocent VIII.[3] They were married in January 1488, and she brought a dowry of 4000ducats.[3] This marriage brought closer connections for her family and the Vatican, helping her brotherGiovanni get appointed as acardinal.[3] She used her influence with her father, her brotherPiero, and the pope to help friends and poorer people get aid and positions within the church and governments.[4]
In 1488, she bought a thermal bath resort inStigliano.[5] She had it renovated into a profitable resort.[5]
Maddalena lived inRome after the election of her brother Giovanni asPope Leo X in 1513.[6] Shortly after his election, Pope Leo made her son Innocenzo a Cardinal.[6] Maddalena received Roman citizenship and a pension from her brother in 1515.[6] She worked to get all of her children married to noble families.[6] She continued in her role of patron, negotiating with Pope Leo and her nephew,Lorenzo to get clients protection, funds, and release from prison and exile.[7] She died in Rome, and was buried inSt. Peter's Basilica by order of her cousin,Pope Clement VII.[citation needed]
Franceschetto and Maddalena had eight children, three sons and five daughters:
| International | |
|---|---|
| People | |
