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Gian Galeazzo Sforza

He inherited the Duchy of Milan as a child, while power remained in the hands of his uncle Ludovico. The gap between his title and effective authority shaped the Sforza succession.

1469 – 1494DukeSforza
Explore this family · Spanish AtlasBack to people
Portrait of Gian Galeazzo Sforza
Proposed identificationPortrait of a Youth as Saint Sebastian · traditionally identified as Gian Galeazzo SforzaMarco d’Oggiono (current museum attribution; formerly attributed to Ambrogio de Predis); photograph by Sailko · Late 1480s (artwork); 2016 (photograph)Cleveland Museum of Art · 1986.9CC BY 3.0 · 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: 20 June 1469 Documented

Death: 21 October 1494 Documented

Role: Duke

Dynasty: Sforza

Territories: Milan (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
Duke · Milan · Duchy Pending review1476–1494Effective rule
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Children
Documentation

Sources for this profile

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

Evidence for this profile

6 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)
Governments (0/1 with a precise source)
  • GovernmentPending review

    Duke · Milan · 1476–1494

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Biographical and contextual references (4)
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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