Filippo Strozzi the Elder

Filippo Strozzi the Elder (July 4, 1428 – May 14, 1491) was an Italian banker and statesman, a member of the affluent Strozzi family of Florence.

He was born in Florence to Matteo Strozzi and Alessandra Macinghi. He was banned by the Medici as a young man, together with all his family, due to the opposition of Palla Strozzi against Cosimo de' Medici. He moved to Naples, and here he gained a renowned status as a banker.

When he returned to Florence he commissioned Benedetto da Maiano for the construction of the famous family palace; however, he died before the completion of the works, in 1534. He also had Maiano, along with Filippino Lippi, build a notable chapel in the church of Santa Maria Novella. Completed in 1502, it houses Strozzi's remains.

Family

He married two times. With Fiammetta Adimari (1466), who gave him five children:

• Maria
• Fiammetta
• Giambattista (died 1484)
• Alfonso (died 1534)
• Alessandro (1471–1473)

and with Salvaggia Gianfigliazzi (1477), who gave him:

• Lorenzo (1482–1549), who founded the line of the Princes of Forano
• Giambattista Strozzi (died 1538), husband of Clarice de' Medici, best known as Filippo Strozzi the Younger.
• Lucrezia (born 1486)
• Caterina