The Tree of Europe · Person

Ottavio Farnese

He secured the continuity of the Duchy of Parma for the Farnese amid pressure from the papacy, France and the Habsburgs. His marriage to Margaret of Austria strengthened those dynastic connections.

1524 – 1586DukeFarnese · ES

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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: 9 October 1524 Documented

Death: 18 September 1586 Documented

Role: Duke

Dynasty: Farnese · ES

Territories: Parma (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Duke · Parma · Duchy Pending review1547–1586Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Pier Luigi FarneseDocumentedGirolama Orsini · ESPending review

Partners

Margaret of ParmaPending review

Children

Alessandro Farnese · ES

Documentation

Sources for this profile

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

Evidence for this profile

6 recorded claims · 3 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
9 October 1524
The authority record gives the birth as 1524-10-09.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Farnese, Ottavio · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
18 September 1586
The authority record gives the death as 1586-09-18.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Farnese, Ottavio · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (1/3 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
Pier Luigi Farnese
The authority record identifies Pier Luigi Farnese (GND 124866867) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Farnese, Ottavio · Relationships: father → GND 124866867
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherPending review
Girolama Orsini
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
Marriage or partnershipPending review
Margaret of Parma
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Governments (0/1 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
Duke · Parma · 1547–1586
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (5)

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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Story · Spanish original

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