Maria Caterina Farnese (18 February 1615 – 15 August 1646) was a member of the Ducal House of Farnese. She was Duchess of Modena as the first wife of Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena. In some sources she is known simply as Maria Farnese.
Biography
Maria Caterina was born in Parma to Ranuccio I Farnese, Duke of Parma and his wife, Donna Margherita Aldobrandini.[1] Her mother was Margherita Aldobrandini, daughter of Gianfrancesco and Olimpia Aldobrandini.[2]
Maria was engaged to Francesco I d'Este, Duke of Modena,[1] son of Alfonso III d'Este, Duke of Modena and Princess Isabella of Savoy.[3] She married Francesco on 11 January 1631 in Parma.
Maria died 15 August 1646, having given birth to a son.[4] She died at the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo outside Modena, the summer residence of the Dukes of Modena.
Issue
Maria and Francesco had:
- Alfonso d'Este, Hereditary Prince of Modena (1632) died in infancy.
- Alfonso IV d'Este, Duke of Modena (2 February 1634 – 16 July 1662) married Laura Martinozzi and had issue.
- Isabella d'Este (3 October 1635 – 21 August 1666) married Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma and had issue.
- Eleonora d'Este (1639–1640) died in infancy.
- Tedaldo d'Este (1640–1643) died in infancy.
- Almerigo d'Este (8 May 1641 – 14 November 1660) died unmarried.
- Eleonora d'Este (1643 – 24 February 1722) died unmarried.
- Maria d'Este (8 December 1644 – 20 August 1684) married Ranuccio II Farnese, Duke of Parma and had issue.
- Tedaldo d'Este (1646) died in infancy.