Background
The son of Giovanni Donà and Isabetta Morosini, Donato was born in Venice and studied for a time in Padua before going into trade.
The son of Giovanni Donà and Isabetta Morosini, Donato was born in Venice and studied for a time in Padua before going into trade.
He gained a huge fortune, but remained stingy his entire life. Donato proved unwilling to spend the vast sums of money required to gain high office in the Republic of Venice. However, in 1617–1618, the Spanish Ambassador to Venice, Alfonso de la Cueva, 1st Marquis of Bedmar launched a plot to destabilize the Venetian Republic in order to allow Spanish troops to take over Venice.
In the midst of this crisis, the reigning Doge, Giovanni Bembo, died on March 16, 1618.
Donato was elected doge on April 10, 1618, probably by paying bribes. He died in Venice 35 days after his election, with the Bedmar Conspiracy still raging.