Tomasso Guadagni

Tomasso was member of the prominent Florentine family engaged in banking and trade.

Since the Guadagni actively participated in the political life and were involved in the conspiracy against Cosimo de ‘Medici, they were forced like many other Florentine families to escape abroad, first to Geneva and then to Lyon in France. There they became bankers and through hard work and shrewd investments, accumulated a large fortune.

Tomasso who was born in Savoy, started his career as an apprentice in the bank of the Pazzi, a prominent bank in Lyon of Florentine origin. After the apprenticeship ended he started to run a business independently becoming so successful that he was regarded as one of the wealthiest bankers in Europe. Thanks to his acquired wealth, the family has become known throughout France. Even today, in Lyon, when you want to say that somebody is very rich, you say: He is as rich as a Guadagni! Later, some of descendants of this family became the rulers of a little independent country in South Eastern France known as “The Duchy of Gadagne”.

Tommaso’s wealth was followed by social rise and honors. In 1505 he was appointed Consul of Florence, and the next year a King’s counselor. He gave a large sum of money (50,000 ducats) for ransom of the King Francis I who was taken prisoner during his war against Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. Later he provided another loan to King for the defense of the state. In turn, he was appointed with the post of “Magister Domus” (Lord of House), a very honorable title.

Tomasso was also known for his charity. He built at his own expense the grandiose hospital of S. Lorenzo in Lyon for people infected with plague. Tradition has it that when the architect showed Tommaso the plans for the hospital, the proud Guadagni said: “This hospital is too small for a Guadagni. Make it bigger!”

He left all his fortune to his nephew Tommaso.