Virginia de' Medici

Virginia
Portrait by Alessandro Allori.
Duchess consort of Modena and Reggio
Tenure27 October 1597 – 15 January 1615
Duchess consort of Ferrara
Tenure27 October 1597 – 1598
Born29 May 1568
Florence, Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Died15 January 1615(1615-01-15) (aged 46)
Modena, Duchy of Modena
Spouse
(m. 1586)
IssueGiulia d'Este
Alfonso III, Duke of Modena
Laura, Duchess of Mirandola
Luigi d'Este, Marquis of Montecchio and Scandiano
Caterina d'Este
Anna Eleonora d'Este
Ippolito d'Este
Niccolo d'Este
Borso d'Este
Foresto d'Este
Names
Virginia de' Medici
HouseMedici
FatherCosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
MotherCamilla Martelli

Virginia de' Medici (29 May 1568 – 15 January 1615) was an Italian princess, a member of the House of Medici and by marriage Duchess of Modena and Reggio.

Regent of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio in 1601 during the absence of her husband, she was able to protect the autonomy of the city of Modena from the attacks of the local Podestà and Judge. Her husband's infidelities increased her already erratic behavior and led to a permanent mental illness, which lasted until her death.