House of Sforza

This article is about the noble family of Renaissance Italy. For the Swiss former footballer, see Ciriaco Sforza. For the Argentine footballer, see Juan Sforza.
Sforza
Country Duchy of Milan
Golden Ambrosian Republic
Founded1411
FounderMuzio Attendolo Sforza
Final ruler
Milan:
Francesco II (1535)
Pesaro:
Galeazzo Sforza (1512)
Titles
Cadet branches:
Estate(s)Milan, Pesaro, Gradara
Cadet branches
  • House of Sforza-Pesaro (extinct in 1515)
  • House of Sforza-Cotignola (extinct in 1624)
  • House of Sforza-Demartini

The House of Sforza (Italian: [ˈsfɔrtsa]) was a ruling family of Renaissance Italy, based in Milan. Sforza rule began with the family's acquisition of the Duchy of Milan following the extinction of the Visconti family in the mid-15th century and ended with the death of the last member of the family's main branch, Francesco II Sforza, in 1535.