Filippo di Matteo Strozzi

Filippo di Matteo Strozzi, also known as Filippo The Elder was a descendent of one of the most prestigious patrician families of Florence. Being wealthy and of older lineage, the Strozzi were natural rivals of the Medici, rulers of the Florence.

In 1434 his family was banished from Florence. While his father died the next year, the rest of the family was allowed to return to Florence. Filippo who was educated in commercial spirit, and in the age of 13 sent abroad for an apprenticeship. He spent some time on Sicily whereupon he was employed in the firm of his father’s cousins serving at various foreign branches. It was not long that Filippo rose to the position of junior partner in the firm. By 1447 he was working for Niccolò Strozzi in Naples running his trade and moneylending activities.

By providing a support to the King Ferdinand I of Naples against his barons Filippo became one of his closest advisers. On the professional field he became a managing partner of the Naples bank after Niccolò moved to Rome, and in 1468 he inherited half of his estate. Since his exile (sentenced in 1458) was terminated in 1466, Filippo was able to return in Florence with capital and influence. In the next twenty years, he amassed a large fortune through banking, trade, real estate and usurious loans. In 1471 his wealth amounted 32,649 florins, and in 1483 it was 112,281 florins. Although he was involved in hazardous loans to rulers and popes, somehow he succeeded to avoid the unfortunate outcomes. At his death in 1491, Filippo was worth 116,255 florins. His family remained powerful into the eighteenth century.

Filippo was also interested in charity works and architectural projects, of which the largest and the most splendid was the construction of the immense family palace finished by his heirs.