Pierfrancesco de’Medici the Elder

Pierfrancesco was an Italian banker and diplomat who belonged to the Medici House of Florence. He was born in Florence as the son of Lorenzo the Elder and Ginevra Cavalcanti. After his father’s death in 1440, his uncle Cosimo took care for his upbringing. Pierfrancesco performed several functions for the Republic of Florence such as being the ambassador to the Pope (1458) and Mantua (1463). In 1459 he was also appointed as the Priore delle Arti.

Although Pierfrancesco initially gave a support to Piero the Gouty, a gravely ill successor of Cosimo de’Medici, ultimately he joined Luca Pitti in a cup against the Medici. After conspirators failed, Piero nevertheless gave him forgiveness and allowed him to engage in family banking business again.

Pierfrancesco was in marriage with Laudomia Acciaiuoli with whom he had two sons – Lorenzo and Giovanni. He died in 1476 and his sons were adopted by Lorenzo the Magnificent.