Juan Antonio Corzo Vicentelo

Known in a contemporary world as the “wealthiest man in Christiendom”, Vicentelo gained a fortune trading worldwide goods and African slaves for South American gold and silver.

Born in a merchant Genoese family on the island of Corsica, he began his maritime career at the age of 13 sailing in various Mediterranean fleets. Eventually he managed to become the protégé of his uncle, Antonio Corzo El Viejo from Seville who was a leading trader with Spanish colonies in the New World. Thus, in late 1530s, Vicentelo was sent to Lima (Peru), the major South American port for trade with Spain and Asia. By 1544 he was well-established in Lima and in the mercantile city of Nombre de Dios (Panama) trading oils, saffron, linens and African slaves for silver from the Potosi mine and for gold.

After several years, in 1551 he returned to Seville with the fabulous wealth. He used his capital to join his enterprise with that of El Viejo and enhanced their business by marrying his daughter who was also his first cousin. In time of the marriage, he possessed a wealth around 30,000 golden florins and had gained a dowry of 4,000 ducats. After he returned from South America in 1558, his business was entrusted to a family members and servants while he became focused on climbing in society. It is estimated that his total enterprises were worth around 300,000 ducats. After El Viejo’s death in 1563 he inherited his vast fortune of 30 million maravedies (375 maravedies=1 ducat) and became a new leader of Corsican traders in Seville. His vast fortune comprised several palatial houses, furniture, land, hoards of gold and silver, ships, and merchandise.

Interestingly, one of his descendants, Don Miguel Manara Vicentelo de Leca (1627-1679) served as one of the prototypes for the legend of the famous Don Juan, an aristocratic lover from Seville.