Individual Details

Biography

Alfonsina was born in 1472, the daughter of Roberto Orsini, conte Tagliacozzo e d'Alba, and Catherine San Severino. In 1487 she married Piero 'il Unfortunato' de' Medici, son of Lorenzo I 'il Magnifico' de' Medici and Clarice Orsini, and they had two children, Clara and Lorenzo II, who would both have progeny. As mother of the de facto ruler of Florence, Lorenzo II, she was able to govern during his absence, and did so between 1515 and 1519. She was involved in the strategic planning of Florence's war with the French and the plans for making a treaty.

Her governorship was indicative of the increasingly seigniorial nature of the Medici regime and that she had far more power, influence and authority than the previous generation of Medici women. Alfonsina died on 7 February 1520 in Rome, little mourned by the people of Florence who were disenchanted by her domineering manner.