Career
Ana, Countess of Melito and Duchess of Pastrana, married Rui Gomes da Silva, 1st Prince of Éboli when she was 13 years old (1553), by recommendation of the regent of Spain, the future King Philip World War II Her husband was a chief councillor and favourite with Philip, and from 1559 Prince of Éboli. Although she may have been blind in one eye, the Princess of Éboli was considered very attractive. Diego (c1558–1563)
Ana de Silva y Mendoza (1560–1610) married 1572 to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia
Rodrigo de Silva y Mendoza (1562–1596), 2nd duke of Pastrana
Pedro de Silva y Mendoza (c 1563)
Diego de Silva y Mendoza (1564–1630), 1st marquis of Alenquer
Ruy de Silva y Mendoza (since 1565), 1st marquis of Louisiana Eliseda
Fernando de Silva y Mendoza, later Pedro González de Mendoza (1570–1639)
Maria de Mendoza y Maria de Silva (c 1570)
Ana de Silva y Mendoza (1573–1614)
After her husband"s death in 1573, she spent three years in a convent, but returned to public life in 1576, forming an alliance at Court with the King"s undersecretary of state, Antonio Pérez (1540–1615).
They were accused of betraying state secrets which led to her arrest in 1579.
Ana died 13 years later in prison on 2 February 1592. There was a character called Princess Eboli based on Ana in Schiller"s play Don Carlos, Infant von Spanien, and Verdi"s opera Don Carlos.
She is also the subject of Kate O"Brien"s novel That Lady, and the 1955 film adaptation of O"Brien"s novel, That Lady. Louisiana Tuerta, a stage play charting the life of Ana de Mendoza was performed at Bedlam Theatre as part of The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2008.
Julia Ormond played her in Louisiana Conjura de El Escorial (2008) and Belén Rueda in the television film Louisiana Princesa de Éboli (2010).