Maria Caterina Farnese

Maria Caterina Farnese (18 February 1615 – 15 August 1646) was a member of the Ducal House of Farnese. She was 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.

Biography

Maria Caterina was born in Parma to Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma and his wife, Donna Margherita Aldobrandini. Her mother was Margherita Aldobrandini, daughter of Gianfrancesco and Olimpia Aldobrandini.

Maria was engaged to Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena, son of Alfonso III d'Este, Duke of Modena and Princess Isabella of Savoy. She married Francesco on 11 January 1631 in Parma.

Maria died 15 August 1646, having given birth to a son. She died at the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo outside Modena, the summer residence of the Dukes of Modena.

Issue

Maria and Francesco had:

1. Alfonso d'Este, Hereditary Prince of Modena (1632) died in infancy.
2. Alfonso IV d'Este, Duke of Modena (2 February 1634 – 16 July 1662) married Laura Martinozzi and had issue.
3. Isabella d'Este (3 October 1635 – 21 August 1666) married Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma and had issue.
4. Eleonora d'Este (1639–1640) died in infancy.
5. Tedaldo d'Este (1640–1643) died in infancy.
6. Almerigo d'Este (8 May 1641 – 14 November 1660) died unmarried.
7. Eleonora d'Este (1643 – 24 February 1722) died unmarried.
8. Maria d'Este (8 December 1644 – 20 August 1684) married Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma and had issue.
9. Tedaldo d'Este (1646) died in infancy.

References

Sources