Alessandra Macinghi Strozzi

Alessandra Macinghi Strozzi (c. 1408 – March c. 1471) was a Florentine Renaissance business and noblewoman known for her preserved correspondence which chronicled her financial and political struggles in Medici Florence.

[1] Strozzi was largely family oriented and worked hard to place her sons in successful banking positions and all her children beneficial marriages.

[1] Seventy-three of her letters were preserved by her son Filippo and are now housed by the Archivio de Stato di Firenze.

[1] Analogous to women of similar social standing, Strozzi received an education that covered the basics of reading, writing, and keeping accounts.

[2][5] Alessandra Macinghi married Matteo di Simone Strozzi on June 10, 1422, bringing a dowry of 1,600 florins.

[3] The first many years of Strozzi's widowhood were spent with tight finances as she paid off debts and was taxed at a higher rate as a result of Matteo the Elder's poor relationship with the Medici.

[9][3] Strozzi maintained close connections with her in-laws who helped ensure a stable upbringing for her children and their future success.

[9][3] Strozzi arranged with relatives for her sons to be given banking positions in Naples so that they could contribute to family finances and live in a less precarious situation.

[2] Additionally, Strozzi's brother Zanobi came to stay with her as he had financial difficulties and both were on bad terms with a majority of their Macinghi relatives.

[3] Additionally, she rented out the farmlands to peasants who would in turn give her a share of the profits as if the land sat idle, she made nothing.

[1] These letters were preserved by her eldest surviving son, Filippo Strozzi the Elder, most likely as they contained details about financial transactions and negotiations that pertained to the family.