Benvenida Abrabanel

Benvenida Abrabanel (died 1560) was an Italian philanthropist and businesswoman.

She was born in Naples, Italy. She was the daughter of Joseph Abrabanel. Her family was originally from Spain. When the Jewish people were expelled from Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, the Abrabanel's were offered to stay in Naples.[1] They opted to leave and moved to Italy. She was the tutor to Eleonora de' Medici. She married her first cousin Samuel Abrabanel. The government of Naples forced the Jewish people out of the city in 1541. She moved with her husband to Ferrara, Italy. In Ferrara, Abrabanel hosted salons in her home. Her husband died in 1547. He had run his own business, and Abrabanel took over the business. She also donated money to the poor Jews in the city.[2] She died in 1560.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Taitz, Emily. "Benvenida Abrabanel". Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 York, Laura. "Abrabanel, Benvenida (d. 1560)". Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Gale Research, Inc. Retrieved 6 January 2013.(subscription required)

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