[1] Caterina was the sister of the previous Doge of Venice, Leonardo Loredan (r. 1501-1521), whose dogeship is considered one of the most important in the history of the Republic of Venice.

She was described in the book The Dogaressas of Venice: The Wives of the Doges by Edgcumbe Staley: “The Loredanian tradition for patriotism and nobility was handed on in the gracious personage of Dogaressa Caterina Loredan, sister of Doge Leonardo Loredan – the Consort of his successor Doge Antonio Grimani.”[2] Caterina Loredan and Doge Antonio Grimani had five sons: Cardinal Domenico Grimani (1461-1523), Girolamo Grimani (1466-1515), Piero Grimani (1466-1517), Marino Grimani and Vincenzo Grimani (d. 1535).

Interestingly, near the Palazzo Contarini-Sceriman and the nearby bridge, Leonardo Loredan (d. 1675) was found dead in a boat.

The unexplained death was the source of many rumors, claiming accidental death, murder by relatives, or murder by the Inquisitors of the Republic.

Andrea Loredan (d. 1750) died young, thus ending the male (agnatic) line of the branch of Santo Stefano.