Background
Her mother was Margherita Aldobrandini, daughter of Olimpia Aldobrandini who in turn, was a member of the House of Aldobrandini of Rome, and the sole heiress to the family fortune.
Duchess of Modena Duke of Modena
Her mother was Margherita Aldobrandini, daughter of Olimpia Aldobrandini who in turn, was a member of the House of Aldobrandini of Rome, and the sole heiress to the family fortune.
She was the 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. Her older brother Odoardo Farnese was later the Duke of Parma.
She was a proposed bride of Charles II of England but the marriage plans never materialised Charles instead married Catherine of Braganza.
She was engaged to Francesco I d"Este, Duke of Modena, son of the defunct Alfonso III d"Este, Duke of Modena and Princess Isabella of Savoy. She died in July 1646 having give birth to a son.
She died at the Ducal Palace of Sassuolo outside Modena, the summer residence of the Dukes of Modena. Isabella died in childbirth like her mother.
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. Leonore d"Este (1639–1640) died in infancy.
Tedald d"Este (1640–1643) died in infancy.
Almerigo d"Este (8 May 1641 – 14 November 1660) died unmarried. Eleonore 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. Tedald d"Este (1646) died in infancy.
Titles and styles
18 February 1615 – 11 January 1631: Her Highness Maria Caterina Farnese, Princess of Parma
11 January 1631 – 25 July 1646: Her Highness The Duchess of Modena.