Folco Portinari

Born in Florence, Folco was a prominent banker and father of Beatrice Portinari, the woman largely identified as the character loved by Dante and mentioned in several of his works.

Through his banking activities, Folco was able to accumulate a large fortune which was partly invested in buying of land estates, and charity works. Material position opened to him political functions in the Florentine Republic. Therefore, in 1282 he was made a member of the Office of the Fourteen, and a prior of Florence in 1283, 1285 and 1287. Being a member of the Guild of Merchants for a long time, Folco became its Consul in 1288.

Besides banking and political activities, Folco was also known for his charity engagement. In 1285 he donated a large part of his assets to the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova in Florence to found a female wing.

He died in 1289 and was buried in the nearby church of Santa Maria de' Cerchi.