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Caterina Sforza

An Italian noblewoman, ruler of Imola and Forlì and one of the best-known figures in the politics of Romagna. She defended her domains vigorously until her defeat by Cesare Borgia.

1463 – 1509Lady / RegentSforza
Explore this family · Spanish AtlasBack to people
Portrait of Caterina Sforza
Attributed portraitLady of the Jasmine (sometimes identified as Caterina Sforza)Lorenzo di Credi · Fifteenth centuryWikimedia CommonsPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1463 Documented

Death: 1509 Documented

Role: Lady / Regent

Dynasty: Sforza

Territories: Milan (ES) · Forlì (ES) · Imola (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
Regent · Forlì · Regency Pending review1488–1500Effective rule
Regent · Imola · Regency Pending review1488–1499Effective rule
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Girolamo RiarioPending reviewGiovanni il Popolano · ESPending review
Children
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Caterina Sforza. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1488

  • ForlìRegent
    View titles and jurisdictions
  • ImolaRegent
    View titles and jurisdictions

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

8 recorded claims · 6 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (0/4 with a precise source)
  • FatherPending review

    Galeazzo Maria Sforza

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • MotherPending review

    Lucrezia Landriani

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • Marriage or partnershipPending review

    Girolamo Riario

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • Marriage or partnershipPending review

    Giovanni il Popolano

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Governments (0/2 with a precise source)
  • GovernmentPending review

    Regent · Forlì · 1488–1500

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    Regent · Imola · 1488–1499

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Biographical and contextual references (1)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

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