Lucrezia Borgia, a name synonymous with both Renaissance intrigue and potential injustice, was born on April 18, 1480, in Subiaco, Italy. The daughter of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia) and his mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei, Lucrezia became a pawn in her ambitious father’s political manoeuvring. Her life story is steeped in controversy, forever entangled with the ruthless tactics of the Borgia family.
Lucrezia’s marital history fueled the rumours that continue to swirl around her. She was married three times, each union strategically arranged to bolster the Borgia’s political standing. These alliances were short-lived and often ended tragically, further staining Lucrezia’s reputation. Despite the accusations of poisoning and familial immorality that have followed her for centuries, modern scholars question the extent of her involvement in the Borgia family’s schemes. New evidence suggests she may have been more of a political pawn than a cunning manipulator. Lucrezia died on June 24, 1519, in Ferrara, Italy, leaving behind a legacy clouded by myth and mystery.
