Andrea de' Pazzi

Andrea de Pazzi was the founder of the commercial and banking empire of the Pazzi family.

Born into a rich and noble Florentine family, Andrea was interested in politics and began his career in 1411 serving as a city councilor and a captain of the Guelph in 1413. He was among the most respected citizens, and was appointed a member of many diplomatic missions.

With headquarters in Florence, Andrea expanded his business by establishing branches of the cloth trade in Barcelona, and banking activities with the Pope and the king of Naples. He also arranged the contract to deliver silver to Barcelona’s mint.

Andrea married Catherine Salviati, also a descendant of a wealthy banking family with whom he had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Two years before his death he was knighted by the King Rene I of Naples. Andrea is famous for having commissioned the construction of the Pazzi Chapel, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, by Filippo Brunelleschi.