Background
Maria Salviati was born in Florence. She descended from two of Florence"s most powerful banking families: the Salviati on her father"s side, and the Medici on her mother"son
Maria Salviati was born in Florence. She descended from two of Florence"s most powerful banking families: the Salviati on her father"s side, and the Medici on her mother"son
Her husband died 30 November 1526, leaving her a widow at the age of 27. Salviati never remarried. After her husband"s death she adopted the somber garb of a novice, which is how she is remembered today as numerous late portraits show her attired in black and white.
Her son Cosimo had an illegitimate daughter called Cosimo married Eleonora di Toledo in 1539.
Other sources say that Eleonora brought Bia up very lovingly. Bia shared a nursery with Giulia de" Medici an illegitimate daughter of Alessandro de" Medici, Duke of Florence, the pair being close in age.
Maria knew who Bia"s mother was but she would never tell Bia or anyone else the name of the woman. Maria and Cosimo were said to be very sad by her loss.
Maria died one year after Bia on 29 December 1543.