Elisabetta Grimani

Elisabetta Grimani (d. Treviso, 31 August 1792), was the Dogaressa of Venice by marriage to the Doge Ludovico Manin (r. 1789-1797). She was the last dogaressa of Venice.

She was the daughter of Antonio Grimani and married Ludovico Manin 14 September 1748. A contemporary description of her a the election of her spouse to Doge of Venice in 1789 related: "The triumph of the Doge must be somewhat damped by his wife, who, by some womanish singularity, is not pleased at becoming Dogaressa. She would not appear at any of the feasts, but has hidden herself, according to some, at Murano, others say she has taken refuge in her steward's house!" Elisabetta was described as good, modest and simple. She suffered from a long lasting terminal illness, but was said to have maintained a firmness of mind. Elisabetta died in Treviso of a nervous illness which affected her mind. She was the last dogaressa of Venice, and the last to be given a state funeral as such.

A Latin oratio was made about her: "Illud sane celebranduniy, quod per longos eosque jplurimos annos acerha valitudine correpta, nunquam aut vi deterrita aut languoribus oppressa, semper naturce dehilitationi superior, et magnitudine animi constans visafm'tJ'

References

• Staley, Edgcumbe: The dogaressas of Venice : The wives of the doges. London : T. W. Laurie
• Louisa Lauw: The Dogaressa