 |
Charlotte D'AlbretFrench noblewoman of the Albret family, Duchess of Valentinois
Date of Birth: 01.01.1480
Country:  France |
Content:
- Early Life and Family
- Marriage to Cesare Borgia
- Married Life and Children
- Later Life and Legacy
- Descendants
Early Life and Family
Birth and AncestryCharlotte d'Albret was born in 1480 as a French noblewoman of the Albret lineage. Her father, Alain d'Albret, was related to Constable Charles I d'Albret of France, who fell at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Her mother was Françoise de Châtillon-Limoges. Charlotte had six siblings, including Jean III d'Albret, who became King of Navarre upon marrying Catherine de Foix.
Marriage to Cesare Borgia
On May 10, 1499, at the age of 19, Charlotte married Cesare Borgia, the illegitimate son of Pope Alexander VI and Vannozza dei Cattanei. The ceremony took place in Blois, and the marriage was a political maneuver to strengthen the Borgias' alliance with France. Soon after the wedding, Cesare accompanied King Louis XII of France in his invasion of Italy, and they never saw each other again.
Married Life and Children
Birth of Louise BorgiaOn May 17, 1500, Charlotte gave birth to a daughter, Louise, who was Cesare Borgia's only legitimate child. Cesare died on March 12, 1507, during the siege of the Castle of Beaumont. Upon hearing of his death, Charlotte, then 25 years old, entered into mourning and wore black for the rest of her life.
Later Life and Legacy
Mourning and DeathCharlotte spent the remaining years of her life in mourning, continuing to wear black until her death on March 11, 1514, at the Château de La Motte-Feuilly. She was buried at the Annunciade Monastery in Bourges.
Descendants
Today, numerous descendants of Charlotte and Cesare Borgia live on, including Prince Sixtus Henry of Bourbon-Parma.
