Margaret Paleologa | |
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Portrait by Giulio Romano believed to depict Margaret Paleologo, c.1531. The Royal Collection.
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Marquise of Montferrat | |
Reign | 1533 - 1536 |
Predecessor | John Georg Palaiologos |
Successor | Federico II Gonzaga |
Spouse(s) | Federico II Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua |
Issue | |
Noble family | House of Palaiologos |
Father | William IX of Montferrat |
Mother | Anne of Alençon |
Born |
Casale Monferrato |
11 August 1510
Died | 28 December 1566 Mantua |
(aged 56)
Margaret Palaeologa (Italian: Margherita Paleologa; 11 August 1510 in Casale Monferrato – 28 December 1566 in Mantua), was an Italian ruler; Marchioness of Montferrat in her own right. She also married into the Gonzaga family, rulers of Mantua, making her Duchess of Mantua by her marriage to Federico II, Duke of Mantua. Margaret was the regent of Mantua as the guardian of her two sons from 1540 until 1556 in companionship with her brother-in-law.
Margaret was born in Casale to William IX of Montferrat and his wife Anne of Alençon. Her mother was the third child of René, Duke of Alençon and his second wife Margaret of Lorraine, daughter of Frederick, Count of Vaudémont and Yolande of Valois-Anjou. Margaret's maternal grandfather died two days after the birth of Anne.
Margaret's paternal grandparents were Bonifacio III of Montferrat and Marija Brankoviç of Serbia.
Margaret was the second of three children. Her elder sister was Maria Paleologa, who died when she was 21 years of age and her younger brother was Boniface IV of Montferrat, who died when he was only 18 years of age.
In 1517, Margaret's elder sister, Maria, was betrothed to Federico II Gonzaga, son of Francesco II Gonzaga and Isabella d'Este, who later became Marquis and Duke of Mantua. The marriage contract was annulled, however, after Federico accused Maria of attempting to poison his mistress Isabella Boschetti, wife of the Count of Calvisano.