Cosimo the Elder
Pater Patriae of Florence
Married to Contessina de' Bardi · Parent of 2 · 2 recorded parents
Family snapshot
Three generations at a glance
Life story
Biography
Unofficial ruler of the Florentine Republic and founder of the Medici political dynasty. A major patron of the arts and architecture who funded Donatello and Brunelleschi.
Cosimo the Elder occupies generation 6 of this recorded lineage one of the children of Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici and Piccarda Bueri, partner to Contessina de' Bardi, and parent of Piero the Gouty and Giovanni di Cosimo de' Medici. The title "Pater Patriae of Florence" 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
27 September 1389
Born
The beginning of Cosimo the Elder's recorded life.
Family
Married Contessina de' Bardi
A partnership that connects two branches of the de' Medici family.
Next generation
Family line continues
2 children recorded in this branch: Piero the Gouty and Giovanni di Cosimo de' Medici.
Legacy
Pater Patriae of Florence
A defining role in the story of the de' Medici family.
1 August 1464
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 the Elder's parents?
Cosimo the Elder's parents were father Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici and mother Piccarda Bueri.
Who were Cosimo the Elder's children?
Cosimo the Elder had 2 children: Piero the Gouty and Giovanni di Cosimo de' Medici.
Who did Cosimo the Elder marry?
Cosimo the Elder was married to Contessina de' Bardi.
What family tree does Cosimo the Elder belong to?
Cosimo the Elder appears in the House of Medici family tree on Lineage, where you can explore the full interactive genealogy chart.
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