She was referred to as a virago because of her strong character and forceful nature, and served as Regent of Mantua several times during the absence of Ludivico III between 1445 and 1455.

[2] She is regarded as an important figure in the Italian Renaissance and was a student of Vittorino da Feltre.

She was a student of Vittorino da Feltre[3] and was instructed in rhetoric, mathematics, philosophy, music, drawing, fencing, riding, swimming and ball sports.

She was active as the political adviser of her spouse with the responsibility of foreign diplomatic correspondence, in particular when it pertained to relations between Mantua and Germany.

During this meeting, Barbara participated in Dynastic policy negotiations, resulting in the marriage of her son to Margaret of Bavaria and her daughters to the Duke of Wurttemberg and the Count of Gorizia, and her daughter Dorothea to the heir of Milan.