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Maria Farnese

Maria Caterina Farnese
Duchess of Modena and Reggio
Matteo Loves 1610-1662 - Maria Farnese - Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva.jpg
Duchess of Modena
Tenure 11 January 1631 – 25 July 1646
Born (1615-02-18)18 February 1615
Parma
Died 25 July 1646(1646-07-25) (aged 31)
Ducal Palace of Sassuolo, Modena
Spouse Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena
Issue
Detail
Alfonso IV, Duke of Modena
Isabella, Duchess of Parma
Maria, Duchess of Parma
Full name
Maria Caterina Farnese
House House of Farnese (by birth)
House of Este (by marriage)
Father Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma
Mother Margherita Aldobrandini
Full name
Maria Caterina Farnese

Maria Caterina Farnese (18 February 1615 – 25 July 1646) was a member of the Ducal House of Farnese. She was the Duchess of Modena as the first wife of Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena. In some sources she is known simply as Maria Farnese.

Born in Parma to Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma and his wife, Donna Margherita Aldobrandini, she was the couples sixth child and second daughter.

Her older brother Odoardo Farnese was later the Duke of Parma. Her mother was Margherita Aldobrandini, daughter of Olimpia Aldobrandini who in turn, was a member of the House of Aldobrandini of Rome, and the sole heiress to the family fortune.

She was a proposed bride of Charles II of England but the marriage plans never materialised Charles instead married Catherine of Braganza.

She was engaged to Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena, son of the defunct Alfonso III d'Este, Duke of Modena and Princess Isabella of Savoy.

She married Francesco on 11 January 1631 in Parma; the marriage produced nine children, three of which went on to have progeny.

She died in July 1646 having give birth to a son. She died at the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo outside Modena, the summer residence of the Dukes of Modena.


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