Background
Eleanora Luisa Gonzaga married Francesco Maria de" Medici, Duke of Rovere and Montefeltro (titles inherited from his mother) on 14 July 1709.
Eleanora Luisa Gonzaga married Francesco Maria de" Medici, Duke of Rovere and Montefeltro (titles inherited from his mother) on 14 July 1709.
She did not bear any children. Her husband was 48 years old and morbidly obese. Before the marriage occurred, Cosimo III de" Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, who instigated the marriage, sent agents to Guastalla to ascertain her physical appearance.
They concluded that she had beautiful skin, eyes, mouth, and waist.
The House of Medici was desperately wanting in male heirs. Francesco Maria, previously a cardinal, was released from his vows through his brother"s action to remedy this.
Despite requisitioning the assistance of her old confessor from Guastalla, Cosimo III could not cajole her into submitting, as she allegedly feared contracting venereal diseases. Francesco Maria had her surmount this predicament and eventually the marriage was consummated.
However, no heirs were born and as a result of this, Francesco Maria was devastated.
On 2 February 1711, Francesco Maria died of dropsy, leaving behind exorbitant debts. From there, she ventured to Padua in the Republic of Venice, where she died on 16 March 1741. 13 November 1686 – 14 July 1709 Donna Eleonora Luisa Gonzaga
14 July 1709 – 2 February 1711 Her Highness The Duchess of Rovere
2 February 1711 – 16 March 1741 Her Highness The Dowager Duchess of Rovere.