
Cosimo I de' Medici
First Grand Duke of Tuscany
Married to Eleonora di Toledo · Parent of 5 · 2 recorded parents
Family snapshot
Three generations at a glance
Life story
Biography
First Grand Duke of Tuscany; consolidated power over all of Tuscany and was a great patron of the arts. Commissioned the Uffizi Gallery and supported sculptor Cellini and painter Bronzino.
Cosimo I de' Medici occupies generation 6 of this recorded lineage one of the children of Giovanni delle Bande Nere and Maria Salviati, partner to Eleonora di Toledo, and parent of Francesco I de' Medici, Ferdinando I de' Medici, Isabella de' Medici, Garcia de' Medici, and Giovanni de' Medici (Cardinal). The title "First Grand Duke of Tuscany" reflects the public or family role associated with this profile.
Within the wider House of Medici, this life forms part of a network spanning 6 recorded generations. The timeline and family snapshot below bring those connections together, while the full tree provides the broader historical context.
Milestones
Life timeline
12 June 1519
Born
The beginning of Cosimo I de' Medici's recorded life.
Family
Married Eleonora di Toledo
A partnership that connects two branches of the de' Medici family.
Next generation
Family line continues
5 children recorded in this branch: Francesco I de' Medici, Ferdinando I de' Medici, Isabella de' Medici, Garcia de' Medici, and Giovanni de' Medici (Cardinal).
Legacy
First Grand Duke of Tuscany
A defining role in the story of the de' Medici family.
21 April 1574
Died
The close of a life whose connections continue through the family record.
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Family record
Frequently asked questions
Who were Cosimo I de' Medici's parents?
Cosimo I de' Medici's parents were father Giovanni delle Bande Nere and mother Maria Salviati.
Who were Cosimo I de' Medici's children?
Cosimo I de' Medici had 5 children: Francesco I de' Medici, Ferdinando I de' Medici, Isabella de' Medici, Garcia de' Medici, and Giovanni de' Medici (Cardinal).
Who did Cosimo I de' Medici marry?
Cosimo I de' Medici was married to Eleonora di Toledo.
What family tree does Cosimo I de' Medici belong to?
Cosimo I de' Medici appears in the House of Medici family tree on Lineage, where you can explore the full interactive genealogy chart.

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