Filipa Moniz Perestrelo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Filipa Moniz Perestrelo
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1455 Porto Santo Island, Madeira, Portugal
|
| Died | between 1479–1484 (aged 24–29) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Diego Columbus |
| Parent(s) | Bartolomeu Perestrelo Isabel Moniz |
Filipa Moniz Perestrelo was a Portuguese noblewoman. She lived around the late 1400s. She is best known for marrying the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. They got married in 1479 on Porto Santo Island in Madeira, Portugal.
Contents
Filipa's Life and Family
Filipa was the daughter of Isabel Moniz and Bartolomeu Perestrelo. Her father was a knight and a captain. Before she got married, Filipa lived in a monastery in Lisbon. It was called the Monastery of All Saints. She was a "Comendadora," which was a special title for women in the Order of Saint James of the Sword. This meant she had a special position within the order.
Her Marriage to Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was not from a noble family. He was the son of a wool weaver. So, some people wondered how he could marry a noblewoman like Filipa. But Filipa was about 25 years old at the time. Her mother was a widow and did not have much money. She was happy for Filipa to marry someone who did not ask for a dowry (money or property given by the bride's family).
Filipa was part of the Order of Saint James of the Sword. Members of this order needed permission from their leader to marry. The leader of the order at that time was King John II of Portugal. This means that King John II likely approved Filipa's marriage to Christopher Columbus.
Filipa and Christopher Columbus had one son together. His name was Diego Columbus. He was born in 1479 or 1480. Diego later became an important leader. He was the 2nd Admiral of the Indies and the 2nd Viceroy of the Indies. He also married María de Toledo y Rojas, who was a cousin of King Fernando. So, Filipa was the daughter of a King's Captain, the wife of a Viceroy, and the mother of another Viceroy.
Where Filipa Was Buried
We do not know exactly when or how Filipa died. Most historians believe she died sometime between 1478 and 1484. She was buried in the Chapel of Piety in the Carmo Convent in Lisbon. Her sister, Izeu Perestrelo, and her brother-in-law, Pedro Correia da Cunha, were also buried there.
See also
- Rafael Perestrello, a cousin of Filipa Perestrelo. He was one of the first Europeans to visit China.
