Career
In the dynastic succession struggles after the Battle of Mohács in 1526, Dobó was consistently on the side of the Habsburg King Ferdinand I rather than that of John Zápolya. Dobó was the son of Domonkos (Dominic) Dobó, who married Zsófia (Sophie) Cékei in 1498. There were six children from the marriage: Ferenc, László, István, Domokos, Anna and Katalin.
They had two children: Ferenc and Krisztina.
Dobó became the commander of Eger Castle in 1549. As a reward, Ferdinand donated to Dobó the ownership of the Transylvanian castles of Déva (now Deva, Romania) and Szamosújvár (now Gherla, Romania).
Dobó was also appointed as voivod (viceroy) of Transylvania in 1553. When Transylvania was separated from Hungary in 1556, Dobó was given ownership of the castle of Léva (now: Levice, Slovakia) in compensation.
Accused of treason against the King, Dobó spent several years imprisoned in the castle of Pozsony (now Bratislava, Slovakia).
His health was seriously impaired by his imprisonment, and he died in his home soon after his release from captivity.