Richilda was the daughter of
Giselbert II of Bergamo and Anselda (daughter of
Arduin Glaber). Her father was a
count palatine in
Bergamo and
imperial vicar first in
Reggio nell'Emilia (1021) and then
Verona.
First marriage The name of her first husband is not known, but he was probably one of the sons or grandsons of Gandulf I, count of Verona. This unknown husband had died by 1010.
Second marriage Between 1010 and 1015 Richilda married her second husband, Boniface of Tuscany. According to
Donizo, who was the biographer of
Matilda of Canossa (Boniface's daughter by his second wife,
Beatrice of Bar), Richilda died without children. By contrast, the anonymous author of the
Vita di S. Simeoni eremita (written after 1016 and before 1024) states that Richilda had a daughter who predeceased her. It is not clear if this daughter was Richilda's child by Boniface, or by her first husband.
Patronage Richilda was an incredibly wealthy woman. She possessed goods extensive
dower goods from her first marriage and received a large grant of land in the county of
Ferrara from
Emperor Henry II in 1016. According to Donizo, Richilda was a great benefactor of the poor. She also made several donations of property in her own name to religious institutions. In 1017, she made grants of land to the
abbey of Nonantula with her husband, Boniface. Though he at that time was styling himself
marchio (margrave), in these documents she bore only the title
comitissa (countess). The first document bears a
signum manus pro Richilde Comitissa. ==Death==