Federico was born in Mantua in 1441, son of
Ludovico III and
Barbara of Brandenburg. He was a good friend of the court painter
Andrea Mantegna and received an education from Mantegna's mother as well as from
Vittorino da Feltre (d. 1446) and above all from
Iacopo da San Cassiano (from 1446 to 1449) and Ognibene da Lonigo (from 1449). Federico fought for the
Sforza of
Milan until 1470 and succeeded to the marquisate on 14 June 1478. He was, however, forced to split much of the Mantuan possessions with his brothers. Federico continued to fight as a condottiero, and during his frequent absences Mantua was administered by Eusebio Malatesta, while the local army was under his brother-in-law, Francesco Secco d'Aragona. Federico took part in numerous actions in defence of the Duchy of Milan, in particular against the aggressive
Republic of Venice. During one of these wars Francesco Secco occupied
Asola and other Venetian territories. Later, after the peace,
Ludovico Sforza of Milan asked for the return of
Asola to Milan, to which Frederick had to acquiesce. Federico died in Mantua at the age of 43, and was buried in the church of
Sant'Andrea. ==Family==