Ferdinando I Gonzaga

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Ferdinando I Gonzaga (April 26, 1587 - October 29, 1626) was Duke of Mantua and Marquis of Montferrat from 1612 until his death.

[edit] Biography

Born in Mantua, he was the son of Vincenzo I Gonzaga and Eleonora de' Medici.

Appointed as cardinal at 20, he renounced to the ecclesiastical career when his elder brother, Duke Francesco, died in 1612 without heirs. He succeeded him in both the Duchy of Mantua and the Marquisate of Montferrat.

In 1616 he married to Camilla Faa, from whom he however divorced in the same year. On February 16, 1617 he married to Caterina de' Medici (1593-1629), the daughter of Ferdinando I, Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Ferdinando Gonzaga died in 1626. His younger brother Vincenzo inherited the dukedom.

Preceded by Francesco IV	Duke of Mantua 1612–1626	Succeeded by Vincenzo II
	Duke of Montferrat 1612–1626